SOLD BY: WEBSITE DESIGN FOR PRE-ND PROCESSING IN THE FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC NASARAWA PORTAL
(A CASE STUDY OF FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC NASARAWA)
ABSTRACT
This project is aimed to Design a Website for PRE-ND Processing in Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, Portal. The portal is to aid in student applicant, admission processing and screening. Admission screening is one of the major activities carried out before been given admission into the institution. There are two major types of screening: manual and computerized (automated) method. Automated method helps to capture students data in which the information that has been entered, the administrator officer maintain the database, the proposed system is to eliminate the challenges inherent in the manual method of admission screening. The system can be developed using pre-hypertext Mark-up Processor (php) as the programming front end and MySQL database as the back end.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Nowadays in education institution, the admission screening is based entirely on manual which is an important component after given an admission into an institution. In the admission procedure, the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa determines whether you meet the entry requirement for the Pre-ND, ND and HND programmed of your choice.
The entry requirements for Pre-ND are as follows;
i. Minimum of Five (5) credit in O’Level result subject relvant to the program described in student hand book in section 2.1
ii. We have 12 Pre-ND programmes which comprises
a. Statistics
b. Computer science
c. Quantity Survey
d. Agric Engineering
e. Mechanical Engineering
f. Urban and Regional Planning
g. Electrical Electronic Engineering
h. Building Technology
i. Science Laboratory Technology
j. Civil Engineering
k. Chemical Engineering
Pre-ND programmes is only one year, which consist of first and second semester and each semester, students are expected to have 50% in first semester and second semester then at the end of the second semester, the average is been calculate appropriately. At the end of calculation, the student need to get 50% and above for them to be given promotion to ND programmes
The pass mark for every subject in National Diploma and Polytechnic Diploma programmes is 40% and above while Pre-ND programmes, the pass mark is 50% and above
However, it is obvious that computer have dramatically transformed people’s lives in different fields of study as a result , today’s work are more productive, in other words , computer have re-invented old notions of bringing services to people and established real time communication as a cornerstones of institutional/ organization.
When the institutions are established, student screen from desk, this method proved to be ineffective; because student has to queue under the sun before they are been screen and it also consume time.
Therefore, this imbalance between manual (manpower) and the magnitude of screening exercise normally resulting to delay. The most effective measure, which can improve the efficiency of screening exercise, is the introduction of an on-line web-portal in various activities related to screening exercise.
1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY
Over the years, admission processing and admission screening exercise in the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa , have been handled manually and most prominent problem in this manual way of screening exercise includes, lack of electronic database to handle students data/information and inaccuracy in the value of the students published. Some of the disadvantages of the manual system will be elevated once the use of computer is employed in carrying out these operations.
A computer can be referred to as a machine which has the capacity of accepting data and imputed data based on the instructions given to it and display an output in respect of the operations performed by it.
Student screening exercise is a process by which admitted students are formally enrolled in the institution before payment of necessary fees, and provision of necessary information like pin for printing of admission letter, payment of school fees etc.
Website Design for PRE-ND Processing in Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa portal, when fully implemented automatically represent full admission screening processes.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The increasing population of student in Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa has resulted to tedious and time consuming activities of in admission processing and student screening exercise. The accelerated rate has now reached a point where it is difficult for the available screening officer to cope with the magnitude of student undergoing screening work in the given time span as well as accuracy.
The new proposed system is found feasible and it implementation will eliminate the problem encountered in the manual system. Some of the problems associated with the manual include the following:
I. Student insecurities.
II. Lack of electronic database to handle student data/information.
III. High rate of forgery
IV. Delay in the update of registration, data and information.
V. Delay in issuing registration number.
1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES
The aim of the product is to study the existing manual system and design, implement a prototype of Website Design for PRE-ND Processing in Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa portal. Based on the relevance of this project to the Computer Science Department, Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, below are some of the objectives
I. To replace the existing (manual) system of screening exercise.
II. To create a useful and flexible program for computer science department
III. to reduce / save cost in keeping records of student
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Through timely information and paper management of student’s database, the staff at screening unit have necessary report that assist in monitoring, planning, processing, and controlling the different student operations in the unit. The study also be of great benefit to other researchers as it contributes to knowledge on timely student screening and management of database.
In a nut shell, the following are some of the benefit that are derivable in this research work.
I. The web-based program be user friendly.
II. Provision of robust database which take care of student data/information.
III. To design a software system that is secured from unauthorized users.
IV. To design software system that enhance speed screening exercise.
1.5 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
This research work is limited to Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, it can also be used in other institution with little customization.
The following are the limitation:
I. Cost of implementations (financing).
II. Lack of management and expertise involvement.
III. Poor communication.
IV. Shortage in computer literate personnel.
1.6 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Many research methods were employed. First, a Website Design for PRE-ND Processing in Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa portal was designed and implemented with the use of PHP. This project design cannot be completely achieved without the relevant information needed to put in place of an executable program. Consequently, the sources of data and information for this project work include the following;
i. Review of related works
ii. Personal experience
iii. Articles
iv. Sampling
v. Interviews
vi. The internet
Also direct observation and research was carried out and also system analysis to ascertain the overall Computer base testing and scoring process. This also highlight areas where problems are encountered; with all this information a new system (computer based) is design to achieve an identified aim and objectives of delivery of an automated test and scoring system.
Many research methods were employed. First, a computer based test and scoring system was designed and implemented. with the use of PHP. This project design can’t be completely achieved without the relevant information needed to put in place of an executable program. Consequently, the sources of data and information for this project work include the following;
i. Review of related works
ii. Personal experience
iii. Articles
iv. Sampling
v. Interviews
vi. The internet
Also direct observation and research was carried out and also system analysis to ascertain the overall Computer base testing and scoring process. This also highlight areas where problems are encountered; with all this information a new system (computer based) is design to achieve an identified aim and objectives of delivery of an automated test and scoring system.
1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS
The meaning of the following words may be exclusively used in this work
1. Registration: Collection of individual bio-data for unique identification.
2. Student: This refers to a person who is studying.
3. Level: Students plane of rank in the institution to distinguish their classes.
4. PHP: Pre-hypertext preprocessor is a general purpose scripting language that is suitable for web development and embedded HTML.
5. Database: This refers to structured set of data, use to store record of information, with each record containing multiple data fields.
6. Interface: This can be described as surface forming boundary between the computer and the user.
7. Password: A secured identifier that enables a user to access a secured resource.
8. Username: This refers to a unique identifiers that enables a user to log on the computer.
9. Administrator: This refers to a person who has full right and permission to all resource on the computer / network.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 GENERAL OVERVIEW
In the past, when computer were not in use, various businesses and organization carried out its activities manually thereby resulting in difficulties in the course of work. Today the story has changed as the power of computer technology is now been widely used in all areas of human endeavor. Computers are now being employed more and more in various management activities in the educational sector. It is now common for the computer to be used in higher institution of learning for activities such as: student ID card registration, student academic registration, among others. One important area where computer has been employed in the educational institution concerns the operation of the student admission screening system, which is very critical unit for any institution of higher learning. It is believe that in the nearest future, expert system will be developed to serve as computer administrators and even screen students based on the biodata input from the student.
2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW
Considering the manual system of operation, there is the need to develop a more efficient, effective, reliable, more user friendly system and faster method of processing student’ admission screening system in the Department. This can be achieved with an automated system.
Online as defined by Geddes and Grosset (2002) means being connected to the internet or similar electronic network, like a bulletin board system. ‘Online is connection via computer or computer network.
In online system, data can be saved retrieved, edited, easily updated and deleted on the network/internet anytime, anywhere, on any devices, anyplace if granted access. The rapid expansion of internet in the World Wide Web (www) and its native language html (hypertext markup language) has fostered enormous competition among internet software vendor. This competition has given rise to a very wide range of choice of software to the user.
Database as describe by Linda and Timothy (2005)’ is a collection of information organized as to make it easier to view it, search it, retrieve the right detail and collect the necessary facts in an easier, timely and effortless manner as possible’ .
Kroenike (1982,p.21) said ” an information system is an open purposive system that produces information using the input/ processing/output cycle“ he further claims that computer information system are information system that include the computers. The minimal information system consist of people, procedure, data, while a computer information system consist of people, procedure, data, program and computers.
The computer can serve several roles in the production of information. First, it can serve as data storage and retrieve device. In this mode the computer acts as data librarian. In addition, the computer can provide processing capabilities for the production of information. Secondly, the computer can serve as a communication device to obtain data or information from other computers. Finally, computers can present information by producing table, charts, graph, report and formatted document. The study of information system is not about the use of computers, it is about the provision and use of information relevant to the user. Computers are one important means of producing information and concentration on the means of production, rather than the needs of the user can lead to expensive mistake. Computers are good at rapid and accurate calculations, manipulations, storage, processing and retrieval but less good at unexpected or quantitative work. It has been suggested that. Computers can be used to the best advantage for processing information which as the following characteristics:
(i) A number of interesting variables
(ii) Speed is an important factor
(iii) Accuracy of output is important
(iv) Operations are repetitive
(v) Large amount of data exists
These characteristics can be related to the needs of the various management levels. Computer is just one example of automation although that has special features. In a society that relies heavily on all forms of information, computers are bound to be very essential. It is generally recognized that, we live in an industrial society in which the efficiently of production of wealth depends heavily on various kinds of automated. Online data entry may take place by means of data transmission equipment or as part of a distributed system by one means or another data arrives at the main computer where the processing takes place. Also according to the dictionary of science and technology by Labrous ‘online computing describes processing performed on equipment directly under the control of the central processor, while the user remain in communication with the computer’. In my opinion, automated system are said to be directly linked to the source of data. In other words, they are computer terminals connected to the main server which allows administrators and registration officers as to my own case obtain any students information through an intermediary process by calling the computer secretary/manager. By this, various schools, Department and other operating terminals are located miles away from the processor. Therefore, automated systems are simply interactive system.
2.2 IDENTIFICATION OF CONCEPT OF THE WEBSITE PORTAL
In order to speed up the process student admissions of the, Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa by students, this project allow student to apply for admission online using the school website instead of using the manual method that will generate a lot of hard copy paper and create queue in registration process they can do it at the comfort of their home and stress involve in the manual admission process.
2.2.1 MERIT OF THE ADMISSION WEBSITE
(1) It is very convenient.
(2) The student Admission website management is not bounded by region boundaries so can apply any where there is internet services.
(3) It is faster to collect applicant data.
(4) Errors can easily be traced and neatly corrected.
(5) High degree of accuracy and efficiency.
(6) It enhances quick accounting system.
(7) It does not suffer stress of human fatigue.
2.2.2 DEMERIT OF ADMISSION WEBSITE
While most of us prefer the convenience in admission that the website admission management systems have brought about, some dislike the idea of electronic money. They feel uncomfortable in performing online transactions. Though only the positive change brought about by the e-transaction systems is highlighted, we cannot ignore the disadvantages of electronic transaction systems. One must be aware of the privacy and security concerns raised from website transaction.
(3) For secure online transactions, the site that hosts your account should follow strict security policies. If the passwords are susceptible to being hacked, it can mean a serious financial loss for you. Banks or financial institutes, which maintain your personal information, cannot afford to expose it to hackers. There is a potential risk of your personal and account details being stolen.
(2) Mostly, website is on cryptographic systems. The transactions are encoded by means of numeric keys while the transaction details travel across the net. Electronic system are resistant to forgery, the keys are vulnerable to attack.
(3) It can be too expensive to implement.
(4) It can be too technical.
(5) It may require a computer expert to manage.
(6) It may requires that all employee to be computer literate.
This was not to discourage you from taking to electronic payments. It was rather to make you aware of the disadvantages of electronic payment systems. While we are moving towards a paperless environment, we are inviting issues related to electronic security.
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