CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION
Biometric fingerprint is technology that makes use of the distinctive fingerprint characteristic in recognizing various identities. The fingerprint configuration does not change throughout an individual’s life because it is a unique representation of an identity thus making the biometric fingerprint system invaluable in many applications in life such as validation and authentication.
The biometric fingerprint technology has been extensively used for authentication because of its consistency and uniqueness (Cappelli et al., 2007). However, this study taps into the fingerprints ability to validate as well. The biometric fingerprint technology can recognize an identity by crosschecking already stored identities by use of fingerprints and return a match.
Every institution poses a level of importance to attendance and thus value the regular attendance records gotten as this is recorded for future use. City University is no exception. The university currently uses the seemingly old-fashioned mode of recording student attendance which is the pen to paper and file based system, which has been used for years (Yuihotakaishi, 2001). In spite of the fact that the university might be “comfortable” with this method, its reliability does not tell “comfort”. This study will explain in detail the primitive method of recording student attendance, why this method is disadvantageous and why the attendance system using fingerprint scanner should be adopted.
1.1    Statement of Problem
City University uses the old method of taking attendance whereby every student has to sign in and out during a particular lecture period or event. The increasing student population rate has made this method error prone and inefficient as it becomes cumbersome for lecturers to keep track of individual students’ attendance. The need, therefore, arises for a system that can be developed to tackle the challenges posed by the existing manual based system. Those challenges are further discussed in chapter two and three of this study.
This research project has been developed keeping in view the following points:
1.    The working environment in the university
2.    The computer literacy rate in Nigeria and Benin Republic
3.    The thought process and attitude of Nigerians and Bennenois
4.    The system currently in use
I am convinced this system will significantly reduce the ineffectiveness of the current system.
1.2    Objective of the Study
The objective of this study is to design and implement an attendance system using a fingerprint scanner for students of any institution with primary focus on City University.
The specific objectives of this study are:
1.    Critically analyse current attendance system
2.    Propose solutions to loopholes discovered in current manual system
3.    Design a more reliable attendance system
4.    Implement the new system
1.3    Significance of the Study
This study is significant because of the pressing need to improve the current attendance system in use.
The significance of the study is outlined below:
1.    This study will provide a viable option to eliminate the manual paper based attendance process and the problems associated with this system.
2.    This study will propose a system that will allow the university to seamlessly manage and track individual student attendance which is necessary for many decision making actions.
3.    This study provides a system that reduces the error prone nature of the manual system when students’ attendance is taken.
4.    This study will provide a stable university environment by reducing the truancy rate.
1.4    Scope of the Study
This research project will focus on all activities performed at the university which involve the student attendance records.
Its main aim is to design and implement an attendance system using fingerprint scanner that will improve the way attendance is carried out currently. This study will take City University as a case study for developing this system.
1.5    Limitations
Every research work has limitations which tend to be a setback but inspire the betterment of the research project. Here are some of the limitations faced in this study.
1.    Application is developed in only one language (English).
2.    There is no provision for a guest login in the application.
3.    Detailed data was not provided by the university
4.    Academic literature which could further support this study was inaccessible
5.    There were certain programming functionalities which could not be achieved due to unavailable resources.
6.    Lack of financial support