Professors and lecturers in universities and colleges should keep an eye on their graduate students so that they do not cheat hiring outsiders to write their thesis, says Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat.

"This practice is not confined to public learning institutions, but the private colleges and institutions as well. Such practices would not only bring shame to us, but also to our nation as a whole. It would also be embarrassing to employers as well."

The New Straits Times had, on Saturday, carried a report saying hundreds of master's and and PhD students were getting "professional thesis writers" to pen their articles.

"This was before we even had a Higher Education Ministry. I was then in my capacity as the MCA Youth chief and we were approached by several students who claimed that several of their peers had hired outsiders to write their thesis.

"We pursued the investigations behind the allegations but then the students withdrew their complaints abruptly, for whatever reason they had and so we could not pursue it any further."

He reiterated that for the Ministry to be able to act on the allegations, it would require information from the members of the public.

"Cases like this do happen in the country, but I don't have the figures. The Ministry has never sat quietly when we received complaints or information that we feel is relevant to the public and which we feel needs to be dealt with as soon as possible."

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