Six academics sacked for research paper fraud

As the government looks into tackling chicanery, there are eight more that are being looked into.

Six academics from three Thai universities have been sacked and eight others are being investigated for&nbsp, research paper fraud, according to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation ( MHESI).

According to the government, three Khon Kaen University lecturers were fired, and they will also face criminal charges.

According to deputy permanent secretary Supachai Pathumnakul on Thursday, two lecturers from Chiang Mai University ( CMU) and one from Chulabhorn Royal Academy were also fired.

A document in August of last year claimed that a CMU professor had purchased his papers for 30 000 ringgit led to an investigation into allegations of fake research journals involving 109 scientists from 33 universities.

Five sites were discovered that the research had offered the services to customers. It also found 14 educators, including a former high-ranking administrative of Thaksin University, were involved in committing scams, Mr Supachai said.

A commission has been established, according to Minister Supamas Isarabhakdi, and its people have already met with the administrators of the institutions in question.

The commission, chaired by Mr Supachai, has demanded the universities submit data within 15 weeks.

She said the research is anticipated to be finished second month.

To stop such acts from occurring afterwards, the department said, adding that strict measures will be put in place to set out the rules, procedures, and deadlines for reporting and submission of higher education data.

According to her, institutions are required to provide the government with the educational information of their alumni to be verified.