Lack of originality root cause of scandal

Screenshots from the videos produced by Fudan University and the University of Tokyo (in the upper right cornor) shows a similarity. [Photo/Sina Weibo]

On the 110th anniversary of its founding, Shanghai-based Fudan University released their new official publicity video To My Light, yet it was widely seen as being derivative of Explorer, a publicity video released by the University of Tokyo in 2014. Teng Yudong, the producer, said they used Explorer as "a main reference", while Fudan University later responded it suspects plagiarism and they are investigating. Comments:

Opting to deal with the plagiarism reflects Fudan's credit and shows what kind of values the university holds. If Teng is confirmed to have plagiarized the University of Tokyo video, he should be punished and Fudan needs to apologize for using this video without checking. Or who will trust graduates or scholars from the university?

Beijing News, May 30

The publicity video has already become such a scandal that a mere apology or inner probe is not enough. It is advised that Fudan forms an independent investigation commission composed of alumni members, the media and the university staff, and make clear whether the producer intentionally plagiarized University of Tokyo video. Only in this way can Fudan defend its reputation.

Xiong Bingqi, vice-president of the 21st Century Education Research Institute, May 29

Plagiarism is common in China - TV channels are full of shows copied from overseas, while cellphone and computer manufacturers copy successful foreign designs. There used to be an excuse that we were at the preliminary stage of a market economy and the demand was for low-end products, yet plagiarism continues now China is already the second-largest economy globally. Firm action is needed to eliminate plagiarism from the market, and, more importantly, from people's minds.

Zeng Wei, commentator, via WeChat, May 29

Why do our graduates copy? Because having recited textbooks under the exam-oriented education system for too long, they have lost their ability to come up with original ideas. The Fudan scandal is only the tip of the iceberg; if our current mode of education continues, more scandals will emerge.

Xu Shaolin, writer, May 30