UNIJOS Records Over 200 Exam Malpractice Cases, Warns Against ChatGPT Use

The University of Jos(UNIJOS), has recorded more than 200 cases of examination malpractice in a single academic semester, with the institution warning students against using Artificial Intelligence tools such as ChatGPT and other unauthorised devices during examinations.

Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Tanko Ishaya, disclosed this on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Faculty of Social Sciences. The meeting, attended by students, staff, religious leaders and community representatives, focused on security and student welfare following the recent killing of a former student, Ibrahim Mbaya.

Ishaya also condemned the growing trend of mob justice, describing it as a dangerous practice that must end. Mbaya was allegedly lynched over a suspected phone theft.

He criticised the growing tendency among bystanders to record violent incidents rather than alert security agencies, urging members of the university community to be more proactive in safeguarding lives.

“We are one big family. Your own brother is in trouble and the only thing you can do is record and post the video. That must change,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor said community leaders had pledged to work with the university to strengthen security around the institution, noting that the move was necessary in light of rising insecurity across Plateau State, including attacks on communities and educational institutions.

As part of efforts to improve emergency response, he announced that all students would receive the official contact of the university’s Chief Security Officer, along with emergency telephone numbers for the Plateau State Police Command and other relevant security agencies.

He also urged students not to allow ethnic or political differences to undermine the unity of the institution.

On academic integrity, Ishaya warned students against bringing mobile phones into examination halls to access AI applications such as ChatGPT.

“You will be caught,” he warned.

According to him, the university handled more than 200 examination malpractice cases during the previous semester, with sanctions ranging from suspension to expulsion.

He cited the case of a final-year student with a Second Class Upper degree who was expelled for examination malpractice, adding that the student’s father reportedly died while waiting to attend his graduation ceremony.

The Vice-Chancellor also disclosed that the university had established a task force to recover outstanding school fees owed by students since 2022.

Examination malpractice refers to any dishonest or irregular act committed before, during or after an examination in violation of established rules, with the aim of gaining an unfair advantage or compromising the integrity of the assessment process.