A UAE education ethics expert has said dozens of easily accessible "cash for answers" websites are profiting from learners taking shortcuts to success.
A study by Dr Zeenath Khan, professor of cyber ethics and academic integrity at the University of Wollongong in Dubai, identified 34 rogue businesses “aggressively” promoting so-called contract cheating services online.
Contract cheating is when a pupil or student gets someone else to complete their work for them, often in exchange for money.
From as little as $40 (Dh150) for an answer to an exam question to thousands of dollars for a 10,000-word report, a quick search online is all it takes to find a number of unscrupulous businesses in the UAE offering their services for cash.
Dr Khan said reducing amounts of homework could help to address the problem and that dependency on cheating often stemmed from relatives helping out with previous projects.
The websites showed up easily, repeatedly and were clicked by users on Google and Bing when the words 'essay writing', 'assignment writing' or 'ghost writing' in the UAE were typed
Dr Zeenath Khan,
University of Wollongong in Dubai
“The websites showed up easily, repeatedly and were clicked by users on Google and Bing when the words 'essay writing', 'assignment writing' or 'ghost writing' in the UAE were typed,” said Dr Khan.
“This is highly concerning to all universities and institutions because it means these sites are regularly visited and are aggressively marketing their unethical services to students.”
In 2020, Dr Khan helped to establish the region’s first Centre for Academic Integrity.
Based at the University of Wollongong in Dubai, it brings together educators, students and industry experts to promote honest and moral behaviour in an academic setting.
Closer scrutiny of school work required
Dr Khan said the way in which schools structure work in primary and high schools can play a big role in deterring people from turning to contract cheating later in life.
Limiting the amount of homework means teachers can monitor what work a child is doing in lessons, as parents often take a lead on home projects but allow their children to take credit for the work.
“When we think of contract cheating, we tend to think of third parties being online services but actually, oftentimes, it could be a family member or friend that ends up completing work or projects for pupils,” she said.
“That is a real problem as pupils then think it is OK for somebody else to do a project for them, which can mushroom into a habit of getting people to do their work.
“The way we structure work and projects in schools and universities needs to change so that it is more engaging and more easily monitored.”
Dr Khan said academic cheating websites brazenly advertise their services, with recent examples boasting a “buy one essay get one free during Ramadan”, which can lure students.
Legislation to tackle academic fraud
In October last year, the UK government tabled an amendment to ban essay mills, businesses which allow people to commission others to complete academic work on their behalf for a fee.
The legislation, which passed through Westminster last month, has now been given the required royal approval to become law.
Now, universities and colleges will have a duty to make it clear to students that using an essay mill means engaging with a criminal entity.
But Dr Khan said this is only one part of a broader sector-wide effort to protect and promote academic integrity.
“The key step is to focus on the positive awareness campaign so that we have a change in behaviour, perspectives and expectations in the educational setting,” she said.
“We need to start this conversation as young as possible, from foundation stages, and then build that up across primary school and high school classes into tertiary education.
“If we do that, we won't need the legislation.”
Knowing why learners cheat is crucial
Despite several countries making contract cheating services illegal, experts agree that awareness is the route to change.
Dr Thomas Lancaster, a senior teaching fellow at Imperial College London, has carried out several studies into academic integrity.
As part of his research, he identified “thousands of requests from students covering literally any academic subject”.
“There are lots of reasons why students engage in contract cheating,” he said.
“Often it’s because of pressure. They are busy working and cannot concentrate on their assessments. Sometimes they want to get a higher mark. Sometimes it is just out of desperation.”
Pandemic prompted cheating surge
During the pandemic, he said he saw a large increase in the number of online requests for contract cheating, which suggested students were taking advantage of the lack of supervision in online exams.
“My own research found nearly a 200 per cent increase through a site which students regularly use to get help, often with exam-style questions being posted with a request by the student to get the answers back quickly.”
He said educating students early about the negative effects of cheating was necessary to curb the practice.
Dr Lancaster said heavy advertising of assignment providers online and in person can cause students to cheat who would not otherwise have considered having done so.
“I welcome the ban on essay mills and contract cheating services promoting services to students in the UK but we can’t rely solely on the law,” he said.
“We have to make sure that assignments are interesting and structured in such a way that students feel they are benefiting from learning and completing them.”
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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THREE
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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South Korea
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Leganes v Getafe (12am)
Levante v Alaves (4pm)
Real Madrid v Sevilla (7pm)
Osasuna v Valladolid (9.30pm)
Sunday
Eibar v Atletico Madrid (12am)
Mallorca v Valencia (3pm)
Real Betis v Real Sociedad (5pm)
Villarreal v Espanyol (7pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Celta Vigo (9.30pm)
Monday
Barcelona v Granada (12am)
Match info
Athletic Bilbao 0
Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 73' pen)
The Florida Project
Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Bria Vinaite, Brooklynn Prince, Willem Dafoe
Four stars
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Spec%20sheet
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PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS
Bournemouth 1 Manchester City 2
Watford 0 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Newcastle United 3 West Ham United 0
Huddersfield Town 0 Southampton 0
Crystal Palace 0 Swansea City 2
Manchester United 2 Leicester City 0
West Bromwich Albion 1 Stoke City 1
Chelsea 2 Everton 0
Tottenham Hotspur 1 Burnley 1
Liverpool 4 Arsenal 0
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
The Kingfisher Secret
Anonymous, Penguin Books
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Harry%20%26%20Meghan
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Stormy seas
Weather warnings show that Storm Eunice is soon to make landfall. The videographer and I are scrambling to return to the other side of the Channel before it does. As we race to the port of Calais, I see miles of wire fencing topped with barbed wire all around it, a silent ‘Keep Out’ sign for those who, unlike us, aren’t lucky enough to have the right to move freely and safely across borders.
We set sail on a giant ferry whose length dwarfs the dinghies migrants use by nearly a 100 times. Despite the windy rain lashing at the portholes, we arrive safely in Dover; grateful but acutely aware of the miserable conditions the people we’ve left behind are in and of the privilege of choice.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Fixtures and results:
Wed, Aug 29:
- Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
- Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
- UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs
Thu, Aug 30:
- UAE bt Nepal by 78 runs
- Hong Kong bt Singapore by 5 wickets
- Oman bt Malaysia by 2 wickets
Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal
Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore
Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu, Sep 6: Final
Nancy 9 (Hassa Beek)
Nancy Ajram
(In2Musica)
What is a Ponzi scheme?
A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.
The specs: 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman
Price, base / as tested Dh222,500 / Dh296,870
Engine 2.0L, flat four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed PDK
Power 300hp @ 6,500rpm
Torque 380hp @ 1,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.9L / 100km
MATCH INFO
What: Brazil v South Korea
When: Tonight, 5.30pm
Where: Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae
