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UK Students Protest Biometric Scanner Move

Posted by timothy on from the why-not-just-use-the-cctvs-already-in-place dept.

Presto Vivace writes that the UK's Newcastle University is instituting a finger-print based attendance system. From the linked article: "University students may have to scan their fingerprints in future — to prove they are not bunking off lectures. ... Newcastle Free Education Network has organised protests against the plans, claiming the scanners would 'turn universities into border checkpoints' and 'reduce university to the attendance of lectures alone.'" The system is supposed to bring the university "in line with the UK Border Agency (UKBA) and clamp down on illegal immigrants."

3 of 196 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Why do I have to BE at a lecture? by Xugumad · · Score: 5, Informative

    If you're at the university on a visa, there's an expectation you're attending the university. Don't laugh, it happens.

    If the UKBA feels the university isn't doing enough, this happens: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-19425718

  2. Re:Border checkpoints by CRCulver · · Score: 5, Informative

    Seriously though; universities have to prove overseas students are actually attending the university. How would other suggest we do this?

    By requiring that the student present a transcript each year at visa-renewal time in order showing that he or she has taken exams and gained a certain amount of credits toward a degree. This is how it is done in Finland, at least. This has the advantage of not hassling students who feel that their time is better spent in the library instead of at lectures.

  3. Re:Smart but not too smart by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Once students (over)stay for 5 years they can apply for a permanent visa and in many cases claim benefits.

    As a student in UK on Tier-4 visa, please let me assure you that this is pure bullshit! You won't get any permanent residency status here just based on study visas, even if you stay for 8-9 years. You need to get a work visa and only then your presence here will be counted toward those 5 years (to get 'leave to remain'). Getting a work visa is not easy and it has get harder since the recent changes in regulations.