automation as catalyst for quality service delivery: case study of select abu applications prof. sb...
DESCRIPTION
Introduction Diffusion of IT in areas of human endeavor well acknowledged Automation widely employed to create eCampus University typically outsource solutions ABU initiated in-house software development Compliment & leverage infrastructural investment 3 Assembly Hall, ABU, Zaria Workshop for Deans & HoDs, ABU, ZariaTRANSCRIPT
Automation as Catalyst for Quality Service Delivery: Case Study of Select ABU Applications
Prof. SB JunaiduWorkshop for Deans & HoDsAhmadu Bello University, Zaria, NigeriaAugust 5, 2015
Outline
1. Introduction2. Case-study Applications3. Other Applications4. Software Development Team Members5. In-House Automation Dividends6. Challenges & Recommendations7. Summary
2 Assembly Hall, ABU, ZariaWorkshop for Deans & HoDs, ABU, Zaria
Introduction
Diffusion of IT in areas of human endeavor well acknowledged
Automation widely employed to create eCampus University typically outsource solutions
ABU initiated in-house software development Compliment & leverage infrastructural investment
3 Assembly Hall, ABU, ZariaWorkshop for Deans & HoDs, ABU, Zaria
… Introduction
Prior to 2008, many processes and services in the University were managed manually
Many man-hours (and, of course, money!) wasted, as a result
Solutions provided, where provided, were patchy and/or inefficient
4 Assembly Hall, ABU, ZariaWorkshop for Deans & HoDs, ABU, Zaria
ExamsLOGIC 2.0: Development History
A robust exam results processing software
Developed by Mathematics Department in 2009
Deployed for pilot use at 12 departments in 2010
Made official University Exam Software by Senate in August 2011
5 Assembly Hall, ABU, ZariaWorkshop for Deans & HoDs, ABU, Zaria
ExamsLOGIC 2.0: Key Features
Automatic tracking of students based on program requirements
Automatic tracking of probations, deferments & examination malpractice cases
Easy generation of transcripts and other report types
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… ExamsLOGIC 2.0: Key Features
Migration and validation of past examination results
Elimination of human errors caused by manual data entry
Multi-criteria results moderation support
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… ExamsLOGIC 2.0: Key Features
Implementation of new NUC requirement of abolishing Pass Degree
Support for multi-level user categories
User activity logging
Easy data backup and restoration
8 Assembly Hall, ABU, ZariaWorkshop for Deans & HoDs, ABU, Zaria
ExamsLOGIC 2.0: Deployment & Use
ExamsLOGIC deployed all departments of the University– Except the peculiar faculty of Medicine
Being used to settle degree classification issues
Versions developed for– Postgraduate programs– Subdegree programs
9 Assembly Hall, ABU, ZariaWorkshop for Deans & HoDs, ABU, Zaria
Students Portal: Development History
The University outsourced development of an EDUPORTAL University Management, in 2006
Portal was to include Student registration system Examination processing software Timetabling software Bursary support Human resource management
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… Students Portal: Development History
The outsourced portal led to dramatic increase in registration fees collection Up by about N100m in the first year
Net proceeds from sale of Access Cards shared annually between contractor and university First year – 70:30 Second year – 70:30 Third year – 70:30 Fourth year – 65:35 Fifth year – 60:40
11 Assembly Hall, ABU, ZariaWorkshop for Deans & HoDs, ABU, Zaria
… Students Portal: Development History
Up to 2009, outsourced portal had problems Students registration support remained a big
burden on the University Key components, e.g., Exam Processing software,
not developed One motivation for ExamsLOGIC
Proposal for alternative portal presented to University Management, December 2010
12 Assembly Hall, ABU, ZariaWorkshop for Deans & HoDs, ABU, Zaria
… Students Portal: Development History
A Software Development Committee created, May 27, 2011
The Committee developed the in-house portal within 6 months
In-house portal became operational during 2011/2012 session for PG students
13 Assembly Hall, ABU, ZariaWorkshop for Deans & HoDs, ABU, Zaria
Students Portal: Key Features
Use cases– Fees payment– Course registration– Accommodation booking
Information portlets– End-of-semester result slips– Payment records– Registration records– Accommodation records
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Students Portal: Deployment & Use
Deployed & in use by PG, UG and subdegree students since 2011/2012 session
Saves ABU millions of naira annually
Versions developed for– Other units of the University (SBRS Funtua, DAC)– Other clients (NWRI, KASU)
15 Assembly Hall, ABU, ZariaWorkshop for Deans & HoDs, ABU, Zaria
Staff Portal: Development History
Developed side-by-side the student portalPurpose
– Provide a one-stop-shop for staff services– Ease information exchange during staff promotion
exercises – Seamless integration with existing and upcoming
applications– Increase efficiency and save cost
16 Assembly Hall, ABU, ZariaWorkshop for Deans & HoDs, ABU, Zaria
Staff Portal: Key Features
Use cases– Exam Officer uses– HoD, Deans/Director uses– Other staff uses
Information portlets– Electronic Pay Slip– Teaching Records– Research Records
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Staff Portal: Deployment & Use
Deployed & in use since 2011/2012 session
Versions developed for– Other units of the University– Other clients
Issues: Usage advocacy and staff training
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HRMIS: Development History
Initiated after successful deployment of students portal, April 2012
Motivation– Employee records management tedious, inefficient and error-
prone– Data maintained by different University organs inconsistent– Generation of data for Management decisions time-
consuming
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HRMIS: Key Functionalities
1. Recruitment2. Promotion3. Leave Management4. Payroll5. Training6. System Control7. Reports Manager
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HRMIS: Deployment & Use
Most modules completed
Deployment hindered by dearth of data & changing requirements
Versions developed for– Nigerian universities– Funded by NITDA
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Other Applications
eForms PortalKADA-LegendTestLEAD CBTFacility ManagerAlumni PortalElectronic TranscriptPayEazyBrownSugar eBursary
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Software Development Team Members
Software Development Team comprises 25 members from different departments– ICICT– Mathematics– Electrical Engineering– Registry– Bursary
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… Software Development Team Members
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… Software Development Team Members
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… Software Development Team Members
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… Software Development Team Members
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… Software Development Team Members
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In-House Automation Dividends
Cost saving– What ABU generates is what ABU gets!
Leadership– Pace-setting in in-house application development
Leveraging & developing local skills base– A win-win for ABU and its personnel
Data localization– ABU’s data remains in ABU’s sleeves!
Freedom, independence & flexibility
29 Assembly Hall, ABU, ZariaWorkshop for Deans & HoDs, ABU, Zaria
Challenges & Recommendations
Lack of complete data for some applications– Personnel, Alumni
Change management problems– Attitude of application users
Lack of a purpose-built CBT Center Lack of advocacy on developed applications
– For both local and commercial purposes
30 Assembly Hall, ABU, ZariaWorkshop for Deans & HoDs, ABU, Zaria
… Challenges & Recommendations
A special Task Force be created to compile complete personnel and alumni records
Examination management process be changed to involve Academic staff less
– Proposal under development A modern, high-capacity CBT Center urgently needed Student & Staff ICT Competency training and general
advocacy to be expanded and sustained
31 Assembly Hall, ABU, ZariaWorkshop for Deans & HoDs, ABU, Zaria
Summary
Outlined the need to employ technology for increased efficiency & quality service delivery
A case study of select automation projects case study– ExamsLOGIC 2.0– Students Portal– Staff Portal– HRMIS
32 Assembly Hall, ABU, ZariaWorkshop for Deans & HoDs, ABU, Zaria
The End
Thank You
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