Digital USTM

Futuristic approach towards education

The concept of a Digital University seems to be gaining traction in the recent past; however, we have observed that it is being used in a very narrow context. We at USTM have approached in a more holistic manner by integrating digital technology and infrastructure e.g., repositories and creating Virtual Learning Environments (VLE).

A comprehensive and integrated approach, towards e-Governance of the University, offering a blend of various advanced technologies designed and developed by USTM’s technology partner. With an objective of a single entry, one-stop solution for current problems of managing an ever-increasing number of students using a configurable framework with existing limited resources. Instead of isolated systems, it emphasizes enterprise-level databases which can be put to multiple uses.

The academic and administrative ERP of the universities has been developed for academic management from admissions and eligibility to examination, evaluation, result declaration, and certification.

The main aim of this ERP is to give thousands of students access to the University and career universe through a single-entry portal and offer direct facilitation to students, teachers, and managers of the University with a click of the keys on their PC or Laptop.

The concept of Digital University will be definitely a boon for the students of USTM as it will give greater flexibility in choosing their mode of engagement. The university is committed in the coming days to adopt mixing campus-based and distance learning on a module-by-module basis.

In fact, it has become more relevant especially during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the COVID-19 has resulted in over 1.2 billion students globally out of the classrooms. As a result, education will change dramatically, with the only solution in sight is through e-learning, whereby teaching will be undertaken remotely and on digital platforms. And USTM is very happy to successfully take the lead in this regard.

Online Classes: USTM e-Classroom is a guided online class, wherein teachers & students can log in from their homes or anywhere to do their classes. USTM e-Classroom has changed the way traditional classroom teaching is done. It enables us to reach out to our students more efficiently and effectively through chat groups, video meetings, and also document sharing. Through this medium, students are greatly benefitted from various classes /webinars conducted by eminent Individuals and Faculties of various Institutions and universities from across the world on a real-time basis.

The integration of information technology in education will be further accelerated and that online education will eventually become an integral component of higher education. And we strongly believe traditional offline learning and e-learning will go hand in hand. We at USTM have already adopted online classes & online tests and have permanently devised a plan where 50% of students of a given classroom will be attending e-classroom sessions and the remaining 50% will be attending offline classes on the University campus on an alternative basis.

Automation in Examination Process: The whole examination process has been automated from registration to declaration of results. The automated Modules of examination ERP are:

• Form fills up and submission

• Exam timetable preparations

• Room Allocation among others.

• Hall Ticket Generation and Print

• Online examination system (E-exam)

• IA Mark & Semester Mark Foil Generation

• Online evaluation and marking

• Mark Tabulation

• Result analysis
• Mark sheet Generation & Print
• Faculty grading & feedbacks

The examination fees clearance process has also been automated for an easy and fast clearance. In addition to the above, the University has successfully adopted a declaration of online semester results on the website. The ERP has proved as an aid for the University to conduct flawless examinations with minimized efforts and speed up the results declaration process.

Automation in Library: The University library is fully automated where students can access the library from anywhere. In addition to the KOHA software, the University Library has adopted RFID based library automation management system for the smooth operation of the same. Some of the facilities available for students round the clock are:

1. Gate Detection System– a walk-through gate detection system capable of detecting unauthorized users/theft. It also doubles up as a visitor tracking system in the library.
2. Self-check-in & check-out Kiosk: It is a standalone kiosk primarily for self-issue and return of books in the library with a screen and printer attached for Transaction slip.
3. Handheld Reader: Handheld reader is primarily used for self-order checking, self-reading, searching and inventory management.
4. Smart Card: Contactless Smart cards are being introduced for all students as ID cards which are being doubled up as their Identity cards.

In addition to the library automation, we have also enriched our library e-resources by procuring resources for students and scholars like:

1. Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS): The SPSS software platform offers advanced statistical analysis, a vast library of machine learning algorithms, text analysis, open-source extensibility, integration with big data.
2. I-Scholar: I-Scholar aggregates one of the largest collections of peer-reviewed scholarly full-text papers. It is stocked with both national and international journals.
3. J-Gate: J-Gate is a bibliographic database to access global e-journal It contains abstracts, citations, full-text access for all Open Access journals and other key details from academic journals by covering 55 Million+ Indexed Articles, 50,000+ Journals from over 16,000 Publishers.

In the next phase, we are planning to introduce various new technologies in the library for seamless access to the library 24×7. Some of the features are:

1. Book Return Station: Touch screen-based multi-protocol book drop facility primarily used for returning of library books 24×7.
2. 24-Hour Library: Provide virtual library services 24/7, including checkout and returns at a time and location convenient for them, Visual Browsing as they would in the library’s stacks, placing holds, e-Book, and Audio-book Integration along with PWD (Persons with Disabilities) Accessible facilities.
3. Library on Cloud: The University is in the process of embracing emerging technologies like server virtualization and cloud computing in library management. Library on Cloud is a new phenomenon and it has completely changed the way Library operates irrespective of any geographic location which can be availed by our students on the go. Also, in order to minimize the cost as well to avoid duplication of resources, infrastructure, software, hardware, and manpower it is the most important thing in Library automation.

To support the Digital University, a robust infrastructure is established where the whole campus is Wi-Fi enabled including all the classrooms and laboratories. 1 GBPS internet lease connection is in place for seamless operation of the Futuristic Digital University.