'˜Avoid plagiarism and fraudulent publications'

Instead, they have been encouraged to espouse integrity in writing so as to improve the quality of education in the country.

The warning was voiced during the Macmillan Education Swaziland Authors’ Day at the company’s warehouse and offices in Matsapha. University of Swaziland Vice Chancellor, Professor Cisco Magagula, said seasoned writers should know that plagiarism and fraudulent publishing needs to be avoided.

"Not withstanding, ethical concerns include etiquette fraudulent publications, plagiarism, duplicate publications, authorship and potential for conflict of interest."

Professor Magagula also said authors should make use of evidence based research in their writing in order to remain objective as opposed to subjective.

"Also, as authors, we need to ensure that knowledge accumulation and dissemination is sustainable. This can be done partly by engaging in collaborative research, co-authority and mentoring young researchers and authors," Magagula explained.

He also emphasised the importance of the relationship between the author and publisher.

"Although the roles of the author and the publisher remain distinct, they are, however, dependent on each other for the successful completion of a project for publishing."

The professor said quality education should aim at eradicating prejudices, misconceptions, misunderstandings, inequalities and all forms of social injustices and discrimination based on creed, race or religion.

He thanked Macmillan Swaziland for organising the event to honour writers.

Director of Education, Sibongile Dlamini, said Professor Magagula was spot-on when he emphasised the need to be careful of plagiarism and fraudulent publication.

She also said she was pleased to read an article in the Times of Swaziland praising the country’s education system as one of the best in the world.

"It was surprising because over the years, we have had people criticising the education system, saying it was deteriorating.

"Such critics even went to the extent of recommending that we adopt the South African system of education," she said.

The occasion was attended by several authors from Swaziland and South Africa, Macmillan regional managers and other government officials among others.

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