江苏留学网

A student enters a teaching building equipped with facial recognition technology at China Pharmaceutical University in Nanjing, Jiangsu province. [Photo/IC]

The facial recognition technology being used at China Pharmaceutical University in Nanjing, Jiangsu province recently went viral on the internet. 

The technology, which checks the attendance of students, is noted for its high accuracy and efficiency. It is able to the count the number of times students raise or lower their heads in class and make sure they are focusing on the lesson rather than playing on their phones. 

A teacher at the university said the system is expected to increase attendance rates – students skipping class or posing as an absent peer will be a thing of the past.

Students expressed concern about whether or not the system constituted a violation of their individual privacy, but according to Xu Jianzhen, director of the school's book and information center, the school referred to public security and law departments and was assured that the technology did not violate student privacy because classrooms are public places. 

The technology is currently being used at the school gates, entrances to the library, two classrooms and student dormitories.