USI opens and investigation for alleged plagiarism
Institutional Communication Service
8 April 2016
A professor of the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) has been accused of scientific plagiarism for the alleged appropriation, or incorrect attribution, of the authorship of parts of text in a number of scientific articles. The academic transparency and the integrity of professors and researchers are of crucial relevance for USI, and as such all due measures have been undertaken to shed full light on the matter. The President of USI has mandated the Ethics Committee of the University to investigate the case, with the advice of an external expert, and to open an enquiry. The USI Ethics Committee is the autonomous university body to which cases of scientific misconduct of USI academic members are reported and that is responsible for the independent examination of such matters.
As a precautionary measure and pending the outcome of the investigation, the professor – whose identity is subject to strict confidentiality by USI during the investigation process – has decided to step down from all internal and external institutional positions. Until the conclusion of the investigation, all institutional activities and functions related to the professor will be governed by the Dean of the concerned Faculty and by the President of USI. The professor will continue to teach the ongoing courses.
