CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 Introduction
Student
admissions are a vital part of any academic institution’s running because
students are what keep the institutions alive. The student admission is one of
the most important activities within a university as one cannot survive without
students. A poor admissions system can mean fewer students being admitted into a
university because of mistakes or an overly slow response time. The process
begins with a potential student completing an application form through the institutions’
admissions unit, the first step for students is to apply directly to the
university through a custom online form. The next step is for the Admissions
service center has to review the application and ensure that all of the
required information has been provided, from the form itself to the
supplementary documentation, such as language and degree certificates. If any
of the required information is missing, it is the secretary for the department
to which the application concerns that contacts the potential student and
arranges for the delivery of the outstanding data. The application in its entirety
is then forwarded, complete with a recommendation, to the respective
department’s Admissions Tutor, who has the final say as to whether each
potential student is accepted or rejected. Before making a decision, the
Admissions Tutor reviews the application and the additional documentation,
comparing the academic credentials to a list of university rankings and
previous, similar applications [1].
1.1 Background of the Study
The national focus on student outcomes
has placed an additional burden on our nation’s schools, school districts, and
state education agencies, for they must monitor the achievement of individual
students, as well as groups of students, and show that all students are meeting
high standards for learning. An education organization’s ability to meet this
challenge is affected by the organization’s access to complete, accurate, and
timely information about its students. Many schools, school districts, and state
education agencies already collect and use data effectively. However, the
proliferation of new reporting requirements and dramatic changes in technology
have had a profound effect on the need for student data and the education
community’s ability to manage student records. Purchase of more powerful
computer hardware and software and the reconfiguration of information systems
have become essential components in efforts to meet the needs of all students.
There is probably no single best information system solution that can meet the
needs of all 90,000+ public schools, 16,000+ school districts, 27,000 private
schools, and 57 education agencies in states and outlying areas. However, there
are certain steps that could help all education organizations to determine the
best solution for their particular situations. This booklet can lead education
organization decision-makers through the process of making the best and most
cost-effective decisions about information management systems devoted to
individual student records [2].
1.2 Statement of Problem
Many institutions do not have an
automated system to manage the admission screening of prospective students. The
consequence of this is that the time spent in processing admission becomes too
long. In addition, the manual system in place makes it very difficult for the
admission officers to record and retrieve needed information pertaining to
admission. Errors are numerous in the manual screening. There is therefore need
for an automated system to handle the admission screening process so as to
improve admission screening, reduce errors and save time. More importantly, the
record of admission status of the students should be easily stored and
retrieved.
- Aim And Objectives Of the Study
The aim of the study is to develop a web based system for admission management.
The following are the specific objectives:
- To
develop an automated system that will enable applicants for admission apply
online
- To
develop a system that will allow the easy updating of admission application
- To
develop a system that will enable easy storage and retrieval of admission
information.
- To
implement a system that can hold a database of admission records such that it
can be queried to get report.
1.4 Scope of the study
This study covers web-based system for admission management using Ritman College, Ikot Ekpene as a case study.