LAHORE: Allegations of plagiarism against the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) chemistry department chairperson were dropped for “not being substantiated”.

An allegation of plagiarised research articles against the UET chemistry department chairperson was part of the varsity Syndicate’s meeting agenda on March 30, but removed from the agenda of the next meeting over “not being substantiated”.

The chemistry department’s Dr Humayun Ajaz had lodged a complaint to the vice chancellor (syndicate chairman) accusing department Chairperson Prof Dr Syeda Rubina Gilani of plagiarising research papers along with her husband Prof Dr Zaid Mahmood, who had served the Punjab University chemistry department.

The complaint, lodged on March 28, was immediately taken up for the March 30 Syndicate meeting. Calling Dr Gilani inefficient and a source of demotivation in the department, Dr Ajaz also urged the VC to investigate her candidature as a professor because she scored second and third divisions and had a “proven record” of plagiarising papers used for her selection as a professor. He also attached the alleged proof of plagiarism with his complaint.

Dr Ajaz further alleged that Prof Dr Mahmood, who was serving at PU’s Institute of Chemistry, was ordered to opt for forced retirement as a penalty for plagiarising papers in which Dr Gilani was a co-author.

Dr Gilani said the complainant had tried to mislead the varsity VC and the Syndicate by submitting initial findings of a report.

Dr Mahmood claimed that a plagiarism case had been lodged against him and he had to approach the Lahore High Court where he submitted reports that proved him innocent. He clarified that the Punjab University administration had withdrawn its complaint and the court reinstated him to his position.

“As I submitted the final report on the plagiarism allegations against my husband Dr Zaid Mahmood to the VC, the latter was convinced that he was misinformed and assured to remove the item from the Syndicate agenda,” Dr Gilani said.

She said she had lodged a complaint with the higher education secretary and the VC against Dr Ajaz, Dr Farhat Yasmeen and Dr Amanat Ali Bhatti on the charges of harassment and hurling threats.

VC Prof Dr Aziz Akbar said the issue did reflect on the Syndicate’s March 30 meeting, but was withdrawn from the April 6 meeting after studying detailed facts about the case. He said the complaint had not been discussed on March 30, adding that the April 6 meeting was postponed owing to a lack of quorum.

The VC said a mere complaint, without any inquiry into the matter, should not have reflected on the Syndicate agenda. He had directed further investigation into the complaint to ascertain who was misleading the varsity’s appella6te authority, he added.

Published in Dawn, April 09th, 2019