Strengthening Academic Integrity to Prevent Plagiarism

Abstract

Plagiarism is a pervasive academic and legal issue in Indonesia, undermining the integrity of education and often arising from a lack of understanding, time pressure, and the misuse of digital tools. It violates ethical and legal norms, as regulated under Law No. 28 of 2014 on Copyright, and institutional policies that impose academic, legal, and social sanctions. This Community Service Program was designed to promote academic integrity in writing and creative expression among students at SMKS Yos Anugerah, Batam, aiming to enhance their awareness of plagiarism, its legal consequences, and preventive strategies. The program employed a Community-Based Research (CBR) approach, beginning with observation and consultation with the school, followed by the preparation of outreach materials, including presentations, brochures, and banners. The legal education session, conducted on 15 April 2025, combined socialization with Problem-Based Learning (PBL) to encourage active engagement through discussion, questions, and a quiz. The results showed significant improvement in students’ understanding of plagiarism and their commitment to ethical writing. Teachers and staff also demonstrated greater vigilance in guiding students. The program successfully fostered awareness, responsibility, and respect for academic integrity, contributing to the prevention of plagiarism in the school environment.