China’s universities hit with new academic scandal after deputy dean stole work from 10 academics for dissertation

The plagiarism was revealed by a colleague who blew the whistle and accused the university of ignoring widespread misconduct

China has been plagued by cases of plagiarism and fraud in recent years despite efforts to crack down on the problem

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A Chinese academic stole the work of at least 10 academics, including a close colleague for her master’s dissertation, renewing debate on widespread fraud in China’s tertiary sector. Photo: Handout

Published: 6:00pm, 5 Jun 2022Updated: 6:12pm, 5 Jun 2022

The deputy dean of a university in China has been stripped of her master’s degree and faces further disciplinary action for dissertation plagiarism, in the latest case of academic misconduct in the country.

Zhang Yan, from the Kunming Railway Vocational and Technical College in Yunnan province, southwestern China, was stripped of her degree after an investigation found at least one-quarter of her master’s dissertation was stolen from research papers published by other academics, according to the university.

“We will take this seriously and act according to regulations,” a staff member of the university told the South China Morning Post on Thursday.

Zhang is accused of stealing from nearly 10 researchers, including a close colleague of hers surnamed Li, for her 2018 master’s dissertation.

Kunming Railway Vocational and Technical College where Zhang currently works is considering action after her degree was revoked by another university. Photo: The Paper

The plagiarism was revealed by a whistleblower who is a colleague of Zhang’s surnamed Wang.

Wang told The Paper in April that Li and Zhang worked in the same section and obtained their master’s degrees successively from Southwest Jiaotong University (SWJTU).