University Students in Philippines Wear Imaginative Hats to Avoid Cheating During Exams

Students from Bicol University College of Engineering in the Philippines wear “anti-cheating hats” during exams on Oct. 18, 2022. (Courtesy of Mary Joy Mandane-Ortiz)

Students from a Philippine engineering university have recently made headlines for wearing imaginative headgear to avoid cheating during exams.

Mary Joy Mandane-Ortiz, a mechanical engineering professor at Bicol University College of Engineering, asked her students to make their own “anti-cheating” hats to wear during midterm exams.

Her students then came up with a range of creative anti-cheating hats, from Spartan helmets to hats made of egg cartons and hangers. She posted photos of their headgear on social media, which quickly went viral.

Photos of their anti-cheating hats have also been picked up by various international media.

(Courtesy of Mary Joy Mandane-Ortiz)

“I just want to say that I am very proud of my students for being creative and innovative in every way. Good job to all our talented students who inspired more people,” Mandane-Ortiz told The Epoch Times on Tuesday.

“The students said that they really enjoyed the hats of their classmate, [which] bring joyful atmosphere and remove the stress during the exam. They also reminded to study hard and have integrity at all times,” she added.

Mandane-Ortiz said the purpose of making such hats was to make engineering exams enjoyable and to teach her students about integrity. She praised her students for inspiring their peers to be creative and fun during stressful exams.

“I really love and proud of my students because their midterm exam in engineering, which is often stressful and pressuring, was given happiness and color. Thank you so much students,” she wrote on her Facebook profile.

Mandane-Ortiz said the idea was inspired by a university in Thailand, which previously made their students wear paper helmets that resemble horse blinders during exams to prevent them from cheating.

(Courtesy of Mary Joy Mandane-Ortiz)

(Courtesy of Mary Joy Mandane-Ortiz)