#OBP | Viral thesis project tungkol sa palay desiccator, plagiarized nga ba?

Summary

A recent viral thesis project controversy involves mechanical engineering students from the University of Perpetual Help Calamba, who designed a drying machine for rice. An industrial engineering alumna claims that the concept was copied from her group's earlier work, leading to accusations of plagiarism. The students defend their project, emphasizing differences in design and function. An investigation has been initiated to assess the originality of both projects. Experts stress the importance of understanding intellectual property rights and the nuances between improving upon existing ideas versus outright plagiarism.

Takeaways

• 😀 A thesis project on drying rice has become a hot topic on social media due to allegations of concept copying.
• 😀 The project, developed by mechanical engineering students, was designed to aid farmers during the rainy season.
• 😀 An industrial engineering alumna claimed that the original concept was not properly credited or communicated to them.
• 😀 The initial concept, called 'Palay Desat,' was developed by a group of students and led to conflicting claims of originality.
• 😀 The involved groups defended their work, asserting that their thesis concept was original and developed independently.
• 😀 Adjustments made by the lower batch of students were questioned, particularly regarding the inclusion of a bike and solar features.
• 😀 The original creators expressed frustration over the lack of acknowledgment from the other group and the school.
• 😀 The school announced an investigation into the allegations of plagiarism related to the thesis projects.
• 😀 A professor highlighted that improved versions of concepts are not necessarily considered plagiarized if original contributions are proven.
• 😀 The situation emphasizes the importance of proper acknowledgment in academic work and the implications of plagiarism claims.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the thesis project discussed in the transcript?

The main focus of the thesis project is on developing a rice drying technology designed to assist farmers, particularly during the rainy season.

What allegations were made against the group of mechanical engineering students?

The group faced allegations of plagiarizing the concept of their rice drying technology from another group of industrial engineering students.

Who were the students involved in the original thesis project, and when did they start developing their concept?

The original group involved students Eloisa Camil Parado, Juan Miguel de la Rama, and Christina Loris Esguera, who began developing their concept in August 2022.

How did the controversy regarding the thesis project come to light?

The controversy arose after a post by an industrial engineering alumna went viral, claiming that the mechanical engineering students had copied their thesis concept without proper acknowledgment.

What did the lower batch of industrial engineering students claim about their project?

The lower batch claimed that they had developed their version of the rice drying machine and that it was different from the work of the mechanical engineering students.

What steps has the university taken in response to the plagiarism allegations?

The university has initiated an investigation into the matter to determine the originality of the thesis concepts and to address the plagiarism claims.

What perspective did UP professor Danilo Arao offer regarding the situation?

Professor Danilo Arao suggested that improved versions of existing ideas are common in academia and that the key issue is whether the original creators can prove ownership of their concepts.

What was the reaction of the students involved in the allegations?

The students defended their original concept and expressed disappointment that their work was not properly acknowledged despite being the first to develop the idea.

What did the panel advise regarding the originality of the projects?

The panel advised that the originality of both projects needed to be properly assessed to determine if plagiarism had occurred or if the concepts were developed independently.

How do the allegations impact the perception of academic work and intellectual property?

The allegations highlight the importance of proper attribution and the complexities surrounding intellectual property in academic research, emphasizing the need for clarity in ownership of ideas.