Driving Digital Transformation in Higher Education

The goal of a leading public university in the US was to prepare its students for success in a global environment. This required equipping them with modern tools to manage their educational journey seamlessly. The university aimed to transform and digitize the overall student experience. Leveraging low-code technology, WNS-Vuram developed over 28 highly scalable, user-friendly applications that revolutionized the university’s daily administrative operations.

Driving Digital Transformation in Higher Education

A leading public university in the US set out to reimagine its student experience by modernizing the way students, faculty, and administrators interact with core academic and administrative services. With a growing need for personalization, agility, and efficiency, the institution recognized that digital transformation was not just an operational improvement but a critical enabler of academic excellence. 

Key Challenges

● Fragmented systems made it difficult for students to access academic and administrative services in one place.

● Manual processes increased delays, errors, and overall inefficiencies. 

● Lack of mobility limited students’ ability to manage their academic journey on the go.

● Faculty and administrators faced time-consuming tasks, reducing focus on strategic initiatives.

Digital Transformation Approach

By leveraging low-code technology and agile implementation, the university partnered with WNS-Vuram to build a connected, digital-first ecosystem that supports students, faculty, and staff. Over 28 scalable, mobile-ready applications were developed, addressing both academic and non-academic needs, creating a unified platform that simplified the student journey. 

Use Cases

1. Student Onboarding & Enrollment 

● Simplified admission workflows with automated document submission and verification.

● Digital onboarding portals that guide new students step by step, reducing administrative delays.

2. Course Registration & Academic Planning

● Self-service course selection and registration with real-time availability updates.

● AI-enabled academic planning tools recommending courses based on student interests and prerequisites.

3. Fee Payments & Financial Services

● Online tuition and fee payment system with automated reminders. 

● Integrated financial aid and scholarship management for quicker approvals.

4. Student Services & Support

● Unified service desk for queries related to academics, housing, IT support, and more.

● Chatbots for 24/7 student assistance, reducing dependency on in-person visits.

5. Faculty & Staff Productivity

● Digitized leave and payroll management for staff.

● Automated workload allocation and class scheduling tools for faculty.

6. Examination & Grading

● Secure online examination management.

● Digital grading system integrated with student profiles, ensuring transparency and faster results.

7. Campus Operations & Facilities

● Mobile-first applications for hostel management, library bookings, and transportation services.

● Maintenance request portals enabling students to raise facility-related issues quickly.

8. Alumni & Career Services

● Career services platform connecting students to job postings, internships, and career counseling.

● Alumni networking applications fostering community engagement and mentorship.

Business Impact 

● Improved Student Satisfaction: Faster, simpler access to academic and administrative services.

● Higher Operational Efficiency: Reduced manual workload for staff and faculty, enabling focus on strategic initiatives.

● Scalability: Applications designed to accommodate future growth in student population and service demands.

● Agility: Low-code applications allowed for quick customization and faster deployment of new services.

Conclusion

The university’s digital transformation journey demonstrates how higher education institutions can reinvent themselves by adopting modern technologies. By creating a seamless digital ecosystem, the university not only elevated the student experience but also enabled its faculty and staff to operate more efficiently and effectively.