ABSTRACT
Plagiarism is a pervasive problem in academic settings, undermining the integrity of institutions and violating ethical principles. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of plagiarism in higher education, particularly in the context of nursing programs, and identifies factors contributing to its occurrence. It also highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the rise of plagiarism, emphasizing the need for strategies to increase student engagement and motivation in online learning. The University of Batangas serves as a case study, highlighting the importance of comprehensive training, consistent enforcement of policies, and a supportive academic environment in addressing plagiarism. The research aimed to understand students' perceptions and practices regarding plagiarism, legal implications, and develop policy recommendations and implementation strategies to prevent and address plagiarism. The study utilized descriptive research methods, including surveys and document analysis, while considering ethical considerations and acknowledging potential limitations. The results reveal students' perceptions of various forms of plagiarism and highlight the need for interventions to promote academic integrity. The findings can benefit the university administration, faculty, students, academic community, and future research and policy development. By fostering a culture of academic integrity, enhancing educational practices, and valuing originality, this research aimed to combat plagiarism and promote ethical academic practices, hence promoting the idea of originality and respect towards one’s intellectual property rights. It delved on the values and respect towards one’s intellectual rights as the core foundation of academic integrity. Finally, policy was given to ensure the prohibition of plagiarism practices in the university.
Keywords: Plagiarism, policy recommendation, implementation strategies