Facial recognition systems are now used to check student attendance and monitor absenteeism in two universities in China. (Photo : www.tx.english-ch.com)
At least two universities in China have taken advantage of technology to keep tabs of student attendance and absenteeism.
China Internet Information Center reported that Henan University of Technology in Henan Province and Minjiang University in Fujian Province have adopted a facial recognition system to monitor rates of student absences and prevent students from having classmates register for them.
The report said that the new system has recorded a 100-percent attendance rate after it was installed in two classrooms at Henan University of Technology's School of Journalism and Communications.
Li Hongguang, a professor at the school, had decided to adopt the system, which was initially set up for two voice-training classes in the college, the report added.
Li said that many student approved of the system and some university teachers have fondly called it an "absence-prevention magic wand," the report added.
On the other hand, Minjiang University in Fujian Province started using the facial recognition system in September last year, which costs around 700 yuan ($112), according to Want Daily.
The report said that the university purchased five units for the use of its music school. Wang Haiyan, a teacher from the university, told Want Daily that it takes around 15 minutes for a class to register attendance using the system.
The paper reported the varied opinions of netizens about the new technology used in the two universities. One graduate gave the system 100-percent approval rate and recommended it to be installed in schools around the country.
Another one, however, did not like the system, saying students will come to their classes even without it if lectures are interesting.
Another one distrusts the system and said that it would take too much time for a class of 200 students.
Yet another netizen said that the system may not be able to register female students who may appear much different after putting on make-up.
