KUALA LUMPUR: Hundreds of master's and PhD students are getting "professional thesis writers" to pen their theses.

The Higher Education Ministry said it was aware of this, but as educational institutions were not complaining about it, little could be done to put a stop to this shameful practice.

Deputy Minister of Higher Education Datuk Ong Tee Keat said it was the responsibility of the universities and colleges to investigate the matter as the thesis would land on the table of the professors.

"They are the front-liners who determine whether a thesis is original or not. These institutions of higher learning should check the theses that are handed to them.

"I have heard that some students are even placing notices at campuses requesting for the services of thesis writers.

"There are also those who offer their services by placing notices at the campuses.

"The institutions should immediately find out who these people are," he said when contacted by the New Straits Times.

Ong advised students not to resort to such unethical means to obtain their degrees as they were not only cheating themselves but also society.

He said his ministry was unable to take action as neither the students, the professional thesis writers nor the institutions of higher learning had come forward with complaints or information.

"We need evidence to begin investigations and so far, there are no cases or proof for us to work on."

The New Straits Times managed to talk to some students and professional thesis writers and found that such practices were found in some institutions of higher learning.

Jack, a 38-year-old human resource manager, signed up for a master's degree programme as a gateway to promotion and better pay but his work commitment made it difficult for him to complete his thesis.

Despite having attended the weekend tutorials, he found the going tough.

"That's when I found a small piece of paper glued on the wall of my college toilet, which read: 100 per cent guaranteed pass. For more information call Ben at XXX.

"Being desperate, I made the call and I was told that for RM8,000, I could get my thesis done. So I paid the amount and gave him a brief on my thesis.

"I have since obtained my master's."

According to Jack, Ben runs a company with writers specialising in various fields and there is understanding among them not to to reveal the names of the original writers.

"Ben told me so far he has done work for 35 clients."

Jack said he learnt from Ben that he had a 97 per cent pass rate, with one student having failed because the professor demanded last-minute changes to the thesis that could not be accommodated.

He said that occasionally, Ben declined assignments if the topic was difficult or needed extensive research.

Elena, meanwhile, said she once helped a master's student with his project paper.

"I don't even have a degree, but that person needed my help badly and accepted the fact I don't have the right qualification to do the paper.

"I had a tough time getting the materials together and did my best to help him out for a small fee," she said, adding that she charged him RM2,000.

People like Ben and Elena are seen as saviours by those who are unable to do their academic work due to various reasons.

Charlie's busy work schedule and having two young children forced him to "sub-contract" his academic work.

He paid RM3,000.

Sarah, whose time is taken up writing theses and doing assignments for others, said it was common for university and college students to get someone else to conduct their research for project papers and theses.

She described it as an "open secret" among the academic fraternity.

It was nothing unusual, she said, to hire others to distribute surveys and come up with tabulation of the findings that were used in the thesis.

"Most students do the thesis themselves. It is those who are busy or do not have the confidence to produce good work who depend on others."

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