UCT notes with concern advertised assignment writing service

Dear students and colleagues

The University of Cape Town (UCT) has noted with serious concern the operations of an agency advertising services to write assignments for students at a fee.

UCT unequivocally states that this agency is neither linked to nor endorsed by the university. UCT requires all of its students to submit assignments that are their original work. Anything else is potentially plagiarism and in contravention of the UCT student code of conduct.

The university has identified and initiated engagements with the concerned service provider, requesting them to desist from offering these services on campus. The posters that were put up in some areas on campus without the permission of the relevant authorities have also been taken down.

The university strongly advocates that its students use the institutional resources that are available internally and desist from using any services that offer the writing of assignments for a fee. As far as the latter is concerned, using such services undermines the educational process, places students at risk – including the risk of prosecution through the disciplinary structures of the university – and is potentially unethical. Recognising that students may require support in handling their academic commitments, UCT offers a number of options.

These include the Writing Centre, which is a dynamic skills-based unit created to provide a walk-in, one-on-one consultancy service for students from all faculties and all academic levels of the university. Based on individual consultations, the Writing Centre identifies and analyses the language and learning difficulties in student writing.

The university also has a number of lecture venues that are equipped with recording capabilities. Most of our lectures are recorded so that students can listen to lecture content at a later stage, allowing them to improve their grasp of a particular subject.

UCT also offers mental health support services through the Student Wellness Service to assist students who might be taking strain during assignments, tests and examinations.

Sincerely

Royston Pillay
Registrar

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements