Web based student information management system in universities: experience from mzuzu university

Abstract

Over the past few decades, universities all over the world have been experiencing new paradigms in the way they handle and manage students’ information due to the proliferation of ICTs and its applications such as web-based student information systems. With the adoption of such systems as the Online Student Information System (OSIS) in academic institutions, the experience is that it has now become easy to harness and fast track all students’ records in one centralized database via the internet technology. While the benefits of OSIS seem to be cerebrated, it has been a hustle for most universities in Africa to completely go digital in their operations due poor ICT infrastructures that seem to be prevalent in the region. In Malawi, a social survey was conducted with the aim of assessing the Mzuzu University Student Online Management System (SOMS) from the perceptive of students. The study applied the principles of both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. The principal data collection methods were questionnaires and follow up interviews. The study population was made up of third year students in the Faculty of Information Science and Communications and the Director of ICT services at Mzuzu University. The quantitative data collected were analysed and presented using Microsoft Excel Package. Thematic analysis technique was used to analyse the data collected through interviews. The study revealed that Mzuzu University SOMS has one prime service which is online registration and admissions, with online examination results access, student profile and finance as add-ons. The system benefits students as it has cut the time spent during registration periods in every new semester. Students faced the following major challenges when using the system; server loads as more students concurrently use the system, high cost of internet data bundles and charges, lack of system regular updates and high cost of password recovery. The study recommends that the university through the ICT Directorate should consider addressing the various issues impeding the effective use of the system amongst the student community