KUALA LUMPUR: At a time when Malaysian universities are struggling to be on a par with their counterparts globally, some students are paying good money for others to complete their assignments.

Julie, a writer who used to offer such services, says she could earn a lucrative side income of up to US$3,000 (RM11,130) a month by doing the assignments of university students, especially those from the Middle East, who need help churning out a quick paper on a tight deadline.

She said she earned that amount helping 10 to 12 undergraduates and made good money from it before finally getting a permanent job.

“It was lucrative part-time work, especially if the students are from the Middle East. The majority of them were willing to pay although I quoted a high price, especially if it was a last-minute assignment,” she said, not wanting to give her full name.

“The rates depend on the needs of the students. If it’s a tough subject, they will be charged US$50 and if it’s a last-minute assignment, the charges will be different as well,” Julie said.

The Malaysian Insider recently attempted to verify the use of such freelancers hired by university students at local institutions by posing as a foreign student.

Such services are easily found on the Internet with a search using “upah buat assignment” (charges to do assignment).

In an email communication between an individual who offered such a service and a reporter from The Malaysian Insider posing as a Middle Eastern student, it was found that assignment writing services are provided by a team known as “Pasukan Tugasan” (assignment team). According to its website, the charges are based on the number of pages, deadline and assignment category.

Saad, a student from a Middle Eastern country currently studying at a well-known local private institution of higher learning, said he was not surprised that foreign students use such services to complete their assignments.

“This is normal among us. Regardless if they are from public or private universities, graduates or non-graduates.”

Saad claimed he did not pay others for his assignments, but said he had friends who did. He said his friends had never been caught by their lecturers, because they made sure they were thoroughly familiar with what had been written for them.

“As far as I know, my friends have never paid for heavier assignments like thesis writing.”

Saad confirmed that writers who offer such services are easily found on the Internet or within the institutions of higher learning themselves.  

A lecturer from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia admitted that such incidents do happen but said it is difficult for educators to address the issue as they need proof.

If the assignment involves a thesis, the hired writers ask the students to record the contents of lectures.

The assignment team then uses information from the recordings to write the thesis and even directs the students on what to do and say during presentations.

“The students study the assignments and we lecturers would not be able to detect anything.  

“But if there is proof students are utilising these people to do their assignments, action will be taken, regardless of whether they are local or foreign students,” the lecturer said. — The Malaysian Insider

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on March 31, 2015.