The absence of a formal policy on plagiarism at the University of Mauritius inevitably exposes all of us academics to a situation of the likes where a reputed and well-published senior academic is accused of plagiarising the work of a junior lecturer. The matter is even more so serious when the alleged accusations come from an ex-student who for years benefited from the tutoring, advice as well as unpublished and published academic material of the senior academic.

The above situation must be of concern to all of us who believe in the sanctity of academic teaching as it exposes all academics to a situation of great vulnerability and danger. In fact, at any moment, anyone we have supervised, tutored or helped can just crop out of the woodwork and accuse us of plagiarism.

Universities must put into place the necessary mechanisms that will encourage and facilitate the development of a sound research culture. The pursuit of research is rapidly becoming one of the fundamentals of all academic institutions and this is usually achieved by encouraging academics to train, tutor and supervise students at undergraduate and increasingly at post-graduate level.

Those of us who have gone through the rigour and discipline of post graduate research and training and have benefited from the supervision of established academics are aware of the methods of supervision where assigned supervisors relentlessly offer their time, advice, thoughts and many of them go to the extent of entrusting us with their unpublished writing. However, the current ?episode? at the University of Mauritius will make many of us think twice before devoting their time, energy and intellectual thoughts to students or colleagues. It is frightening to contemplate such a state of affairs where the mind would be completely starved of any critical or analytical stimulus and where students and academics would be condemned to roam on an intellectual soulless campus.

Credibility and reputation are elements that academics must strive hard to earn and this usually happens over time when academics are seen not only to be engaged in scholarly work but also acting as important role models for their students as well as actively participating and shaping public discourse. No doubt, this is a challenge that all academics must strive for and we are all aware that Associate Professor Sheila Bunwaree has to a great extent achieved this. We must not forget the words of advice of the regretted Edward Said who incessantly reminded the academic community of their role and responsibility as intellectuals.

In fact, students of hers that she has tutored and supervised have expressed great concern about what is happening on the Réduit campus. They argue that she is one of the few lecturers who have consistently moulded them, sharpened their critical thinking through innovative teaching and sharing of her unpublished and published materials. We are no doubt at a major turning point in the history of our University in the context of the national higher educational landscape and we must be reassured that the production and diffusion of knowledge is done in the most conducive of environments.

Roukaya Kasenally, Nandini Bhautoo, Dewnarain Kumari Issur, Vimla Luchmun, Farhad Khoyratty and students of UoM