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Some students lose degrees, others are blocked from graduating.
MyMaster probe claims victims
Macquarie University has withdrawn the degrees of two former graduates, and prevented a further 10 current students from graduating, following an inquest into academic fraud.
The inquest – which the university said was carried out by an independent party – was launched after the discovery late last year that a website called MyMaster had been selling ghost-written assignments to students at a number of Australian universities.
It has been reported that about 1000 students nationally used the service to source assignments and as a proxy when required to complete online tests; Macquarie students were alleged to be amongst the most prolific customers of MyMaster.
In a statement, Macquarie said the investigation had identified 56 students it deemed worthy of referral to the university’ s Disciplinary Committee for hearings that were held between March and May. A total of 36 students were subsequently placed on academic probation after being found to have breached the university rules by engaging the MyMaster service.
The students, including 10 who were prevented from graduating because“ they no longer meet the academic requirements for their degree”, will remain on probation until the completion of their studies.
Fail grades were imposed for each student in the units for which they submitted ghostwritten assignments, and each has been instructed to complete an ethics assessment assigned by the university.
“ Two graduates attended disciplinary hearings and were found responsible for using MyMaster to obtain their degrees,” the university’ s statement read.“ Both were given fail grades for the relevant units and advised that as they no longer met the academic requirements of their degrees, the degrees would be formally withdrawn. Neither student appealed this decision.”
Deputy vice-chancellor academic, professor John Simons, said Macquarie continued to take matters of academic misconduct extremely seriously and that“ although a minority of students practise cheating, the university will continue to work to prevent it and to penalise it where it is detected”. n
Bond U. honours namesake, founder
University remembers controversial entrepreneur Alan Bond.
Bond University has held an official farewell service for its founder and namesake, the late former businessman Alan Bond.
The larger-than-life entrepreneur – who went from national hero following Australia’ s 1983 America’ s Cup win to one of Australia’ s greatest corporate villains as he amassed a growing record of criminal convictions – passed away in June following open-heart surgery.
The university held a ceremony on June 15 to commemorate his passing. Its flags were also flown at half-mast.
Bond, who never attended university himself, established the Gold Coast-based institution that would bear his name in 1987 as the nation’ s first private, non-profit university.
On its website, the university stated that Bond’ s passionate belief in“ the advantages and opportunities that a university degree can provide” had guided his vision for a“ world-class educational institution” to fruition with no financial support from the Queensland or federal governments.
“ Soon after our opening, Bond University fell on challenging times,” the university stated.“ While Alan has had a chequered past and acknowledged that he was not proud of some of his actions, he remained a staunch supporter of Bond University.
“ We have both survived and thrived since those early days. Our entrepreneurial spirit and fierce determination to be different owes much to Alan’ s legacy.
“ The university has never condoned Alan’ s business dealings. Rather, we have accepted that Alan had another side and we are grateful for his vision, passion and determination that led to the establishment of Bond University.”
The statement also noted that despite the late businessman having no involvement with the university during the past 20 years, he had been welcomed back for its recent 25th anniversary celebrations – a gesture the university said had“ provided closure for both Alan and the university”.
“ During the visit, Alan confided that his proudest legacy was indeed Bond University,” the university’ s statement read.“ We extend our deepest sympathy to Alan’ s family and particularly his children John, Craig and Jody.” n
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