After Hue University announced the conclusion that the accusation of plagiarism in Ms. Le Thi An Hoa's doctoral thesis was correct, public opinion had many disagreements.
Many opinions say that Hue University's decision to only ask Ms. Le Thi An Hoa to edit her thesis instead of deciding to withdraw it is somewhat lenient...
Saying that is also somewhat unfair to Hue University. Because according to current regulations, the authority of Hue University in this case is only to request the thesis author to seriously accept and edit the plagiarism content that has been pointed out in the conclusion of the accusation and submit it for deposit according to current regulations.
At the same time, the University of Science of Hue University (where Ms. Hoa did her thesis) was assigned to preside over and coordinate with the Training and Student Affairs Department of Hue University to monitor and confirm the author's thesis revision according to the conclusion of the accusation.
The remaining task of determining whether the content of Ms. Hoa's thesis is guaranteed or not, whether it should be withdrawn or recognized, is under the authority of the Ministry of Education and Training, not Hue University.
Hue University also does not have the authority to investigate the scientific articles allegedly plagiarized by Ms. Le Thi An Hoa published in journals.
Currently, Hue University has sent a document to the Ministry of Education and Training, requesting the Ministry to establish a council to evaluate the content of Ms. Le Thi An Hoa's doctoral thesis to resolve the matter according to its authority.
So the issue now is the attitude of the Ministry of Education and Training in handling the issue. Public opinion is waiting for the Ministry of Education and Training to intervene soon to assess and have an objective, transparent, and regulated answer about whether Ms. Le Thi An Hoa's plagiarized doctoral thesis should be revoked or not?
Another issue that needs to be discussed here is the attitude of the person involved - Ms. Le Thi An Hoa, the author of the thesis, referring to similar cases not only in the country but also around the world.
The most recent example was in early January 2024, when Ms. Claudine Gay, President of Harvard University (USA), announced her resignation, despite "indescribable difficulties", ending her 6-month term for many reasons, including accusations of plagiarism.
Perhaps, it will be very difficult for Ms. Le Thi An Hoa, currently Head of the Scientific Research Department of the Hue Monuments Conservation Center, to make a decision that is "indescribably difficult" like Ms. Claudine Gay.
But public opinion really needs the initiative to speak up, at least a public apology from Ms. Le Thi An Hoa after the conclusion of plagiarism in her doctoral thesis at Hue University, and cannot remain silent as before.
Dare to do, dare to take responsibility, know how to admit your mistakes, dare to apologize publicly is also a necessary way of taking responsibility for a scientist!
