Top marks for nothing

Getting top marks is not just a result of hard work - for a couple of weeks, poor resources can also be an influence.

At Pavia University in northern Italy, philosophy of language lecturer Flavia Ravazzoli was so exasperated by the dearth of computers, printers, photocopiers and even toilet paper, and by plaster falling off the ceiling during a lecture, that she awarded her ten students top marks without examining them.

"For a year I've been sending letters, emails and telegrams, but nobody answers. I'm fed up, this is my way of protesting," she said.

Dr Ravazzoli was this week suspended from teaching and the exam results were cancelled. The university accused her of besmirching the image of her department and the university in 70 telegrams sent to the national authorities, national government and regional government, political and religious authorities and the media.