A mathematics professor at the University of Patras has ordered students sitting a September exam to produce a medical certificate to wear glasses.
The directive applies to an examination scheduled for September 17. Under the rules, students are required to write exclusively with a pencil, while anyone wearing corrective eyewear must present official medical documentation verifying their vision needs.
According to local news outlet pelop.gr, the restriction was introduced to prevent students from using smart glasses equipped with hidden technology to cheat. The professor reportedly explained that the measures were necessary to stop the exam from turning into an artificial intelligence fair and to protect students who had prepared for the test from being placed at a disadvantage.
High-tech cheating and university policy
Speaking to the newspaper Peloponnisos, Christos Bouras, the rector of the University of Patras, noted that academic cheating was not a new phenomenon. He warned that modern universities now possess tools powered by artificial intelligence capable of detecting suspicious exam scripts.
Bouras said artificial intelligence systems can now identify which papers have been copied from external sources. He added that students who expend time trying to cheat rather than channeling their energy into studying will eventually face consequences later in their professional careers.
Background on Patras and anti-cheating efforts
The University of Patras, located in western Greece, is one of the country's largest public higher education institutions. Greek universities hold re-sit examination periods every September, allowing students to re-take courses they did not pass during the winter or spring academic terms.
Concerns over technology-assisted cheating have grown across European universities following the commercial availability of wearable devices. Smart glasses can feature micro-cameras concealed within their frames and wireless earpieces capable of transmitting test questions to artificial intelligence chatbots or external assistants.
Academic institutions across Greece and Europe have increasingly modified examination protocols to address high-tech academic dishonesty. While some faculties rely on invigilation rules, others use specialized software to analyze submitted texts for AI-generated syntax and patterns.
