An unprecedented incident occurred at the University of Thessaly when a student hacked into the Faculty of Agriculture’s archives with the aim of modifying grades and degrees. The Volos Single Plenary Court convicted the 28-year-old former student, who was tried in absentia.

According to grtimes.gr, the case began in May 2020, during the pandemic, when the then 24-year-old student of the Faculty of Agriculture took advantage of the reduced staff presence due to the COVID-19 measures. He turned up on May Day evening at the faculty building under the pretext that he had to observe the progress of a biological experiment he was working on behalf of a professor. Having gained the confidence of the guard, who was aware of his involvement in the experiment, he entered the building without suspicion.

Instead of heading to the laboratories, the student took the keys to the secretariat from the guard and entered the offices. There, he remained for six hours, gaining access to the secretarial computer and interfering with the department’s records. However, upon leaving, he forgot to return the keys. The next morning, the security guard on duty noticed their absence and alerted university authorities.

An investigation was immediately launched, with the then chairman of the department, Nikos Tsiropoulos, and the dean, Nik. Danalatos, informing the university administration and the police. Authorities tracked down the student, who reportedly confessed to tampering with the records. The case took on legal and administrative dimensions, with the University of Thessaly proceeding with his expulsion from the Faculty of Agriculture, following a decision by the Senate. The student was forced to continue his studies abroad, where he eventually earned his degree.

The trial was held recently, with the 28-year-old graduate being convicted for his actions. However, the court did not impose any further punishment, as it felt that his expulsion from the university and the consequences he faced were already a significant punishment. The incident, which is considered unique in the annals of the University of Thessaly, highlighted the need to strengthen security measures and the protection of information systems in educational institutions.