ONLINE CLEARANCE SYSTEM FOR GRADUATING STUDENTS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1             INTRODUCTION

Clearance is a status granted individuals, typically members of the military, university graduates and employees of governments and their contractors, allowing them access to classified information, i.e. state secrets. The term "clearance " is also sometimes used in private organizations that have a formal process to vet employees for access to sensitive information. A clearance by itself is normally not sufficient to gain access; the organization must determine that the cleared individual has a "need to know" the information. No one is supposed to be granted access to classified information solely because of rank or position, but once a clearance is obtained, access to certain information or gain of freedom will be granted.

As many universities have choosing to pursue the dynamic educational options available online. The advantages of e-learning are many. As people of all ages and backgrounds become increasingly reliant on the internet for information, online learning becomes more convenient and efficient here the need for an online clearance system. The skills needed to access and comprehend information online are becoming commonplace, and the flexibility of wireless computing means that any coffee shop, airport or bedroom can become a classroom. Online courses, registrations, clearance have few, if any scheduling restrictions, well-integrated learning resources and competitive degree options, with an online clearance system.

The changing online college landscape now includes online clearance system, traditional undergraduate and general studies programs. However, career learning is still the most popular online training option.

1.2             BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Caritas university, Amorji nike Enugu is a private University approved by the federal Government of Nigeria on Dec 16 2004. It was officially opened on Jan 21,2005 by the Federal minister for education, Prof . Fabian Osuji.  It is the second catholic university founded by Rev. Fr. Prof  E.M.P Edeh. The school is managed by the congregation of  Sisters of Jesus the Saviour, a religious congregation of nuns founded by him. The school operates the faculty system and presently has four faculties; Engineering, Enviromentals, Management and social sciences and natural science

    In Universities like Caritas, there is need for automated method of keeping data, more so a greater need for an online clearance system. This would go a long way in alleviating the various problems and stress involved in the manual method of clearance. Moreover, the issue of delayed youth service as a result of inability to complete the tedious manual process of clearance would be curtailed.

1.3             STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The processes of clearing students after their graduation requires that the students be cleared in various departments and information units. Among which are:

§      Library fines and overdue or lost library materials from the University

§  Departmental Dues

§  Infirmary and bookstore charges

§  Residence hall damage charges

§  Return of athletic equipment

§  Student Union Fee

§  Bursary and all other charges

For a graduating student to carry out his \ her clearance from all these departments, it normally takes a lot of time and a lot of processes and delays in clearing the student for youth service as well as collection of statement of result. Hence it became imperative for an online clearance system to eliminate the shortcomings of the manual system in place.

1.4     OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The objective of this project include:

·                              To effectively and efficiently process students clearance

·        To provide a reliable and transparent system devoid of personal inclinations and interest

·        To provide borderless access

·        To ensure prompt clearance

·        To alleviate the problems and stress of travelling and queuing up of students during clearance.

1.5    SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This research work is limited to clearance system for graduating students from Caritas University. The software developed will be carried out using HTML, Visual Basic and  Ms Access to manage both the database and at the same time make the software online.

1.6      LIMITATIONS

          This project covers all aspect of online clearance system using Caritas University as a case study. However, the following were the constraints:

Time constraints: Due to time constraint, the web – page developed covers only clearance from various departments by the graduating students. 

Financial constraints:  It would cost a lot to develop a full web – based clearance system.

Some documents were considered confidential and were not made available.