IN the latest Tribune poll, readers were asked if they agreed with the recommendation that Dr Rodney Smith be chosen as the new president of the College of the Bahamas. Dr Smith was president until he resigned in 2005 amid a high profile plagiarism controversy.
In a tight vote, 56 per cent of those voting did not agree with the recommendation, while 44 per cent were in favour of it.
Commenting on the issue ‘Publius’ said: “Plagiarism is the highest form of ‘crime’ in academia, and the one always worthy of the most disdain in academia. The Bahamas is a blithering embarrassment that it is even considering doing such a thing to its national tertiary institution.”
‘Afficianado’ thought plagiarism was a serious issue: “I’m a doctoral student researching renewable energy systems with seven publications. If I were to plagiarise I would be banned from publishing for 10 years from my professional society and my name would be recorded.”
‘MaLambee’ said: “Seriously? What are we saying to our students, to our people in general and to the whole world? This is a very hard pill for me to swallow when I think of the ratification. Whoever is making this decision has no idea how this will affect the future of the country. What kind of example are we setting for future generations?”
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Comments
rosalynne 9 years, 8 months ago
"Many people are reluctant to show mercy because they don't understand the difference between trust and forgiveness. Forgiveness is letting go of the past. Trust has to do with future behavior." ~Rick Warren
COB is to be commended for understanding the difference between trust and forgiveness. Most great leaders - including presidents, kings, prophets, and saints - have made mistakes. The mistakes, the risks, the successes are what make great leaders. The fundamental question is whether COB can trust Dr. Smith with its future and the resounding answer is YES!
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