China mulls new law to curb academic misconduct

China is considering a new law to regulate academic-diploma awarding to guard against plagiarism, cheating, and other academic misconduct.

Institutions of higher education that award degrees can deprive a student of a degree if the applicant is involved in academic misconduct, forgery, and other violations during his or her academic years, according to a draft law that has been released to solicit public opinion by the Ministry of Education.

Those holding degrees shall have their degrees revoked if they are found to have committed academic misconduct, including plagiarism, forgery, and data fraud in their dissertations or practical achievements, the draft said.

Academic integrity has received wide attention as some academic scandals were exposed to the public.