It seems that finding faults, exploiting others weaknesses and sharing falsified stories has become a norm in our society. However, what is even sadder is the fact that this habit more significantly prevails in the so called educated segment of our society.
A similar situation took place recently, when a story went around, and was shared by a lot of students within Pakistan that Institute Of Business Management (Also referred to as CBM), has copied their Mission and Vision Statement from another Distance Learning Institute by the name of Charles Linz (http://www.chlic.at/mission.php ). Understandably finding the opportunity, this story was shared, with jokes and puns about the plagiarism policy of IoBM; given that the Mission Statement of IoBM itself is a copy of another university’s mission statement. I however, do not see this as one isolated event. In fact, this, if viewed in the bigger picture goes on to show, what we as Pakistanis have made a part of our everyday life. We have grown up seeing our politicians’ blame one another for the mess our country is in, if that is not enough we would find a conspiracy theory pointing the blame at external factors for any depraved situation we may find ourselves in. Amid all this, no one tries to find the time to understand the reality and the truth behind all these events.
Similarly while everyone was having a party discussing the Mission and Vision statement of IoBM , no one bothered to wait and find the facts behind the story. Nevertheless, when the facts were figured out it, became very clear that the website of Charlez Linz , is in fact filled with Plagiarism. The Presidents message on the Charlez Linz website (http://www.chlic.at/president.php), is in fact copied from the Presidents message found on the website of St Francis College (http://www.stfranciscollege.edu/about/PresidentMessage ). A simple “turn it in” (Online Plagiarisms Software) analysis shows that the website of Charles Linz has an approximate 89% plagiarism index.
From this we learn a lot of lessons. Firstly, it is the need of the hour that we as a society start understanding and differentiating facts from fiction. It will be much more productive if we spend time evaluating ourselves as individuals, institutions and a Nation rather than finding faults in others.
An even sadder angle of this dilemma is that those who belong to a particular entity will take no time in questioning the morals of their own institution. Do we forget that by making public the faults and wrong doings of our own Nation, we are only mocking our self as Pakistanis in the eyes of the world. Do we forget that by not being proud of your own Institution you only devalue yourself?
Given that, it is very clear that the IoBM mission and vision statement is indeed not copied, this news like all others will die out. Obviously, what is the fun in discussing a story that has no spice left?
Written By : Shayan Ahmed
Edited By : Fiza Shahdab
Edited By : Fiza Shahdab
