German Universities Face Plagiarism Crisis Amid Mass Education Expansion

German higher education institutions are experiencing a significant plagiarism wave, revealing systemic dysfunction as university enrollment has expanded dramatically. In 1960, only 6% of a graduating class completed the Abitur qualification for university admission, while today over 50% do. This mass expansion has resulted in many students lacking adequate preparation for university-level work. The current plagiarism surge demonstrates how universities have become dysfunctional under these conditions.