CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The greatest innovation that has taken place in the twentieth
century is in the realm of information Technology. This is currently
made possible by the introduction of the digital computers which
has been observed in the field of communication to be
increasingly inseparable from communications. These linkages
often referred to as convergence is driven by technology and
amplified by business trends and schools. Faster growth in
network systems that use communication links to connect
subsidiary system (nodes) which may send and receives, direct
and redirect information (Solomon .M. 2010).
However, looking at another aspect of information
technology known as data management, you will note that the
data generated by schools/organizations are usually created in
files for use by different departments/units within the
organizations. If the data contained in these files are not carefully
delineated it is very likely that the same data will appear on several
of these files. That is, these files would contain redundant data
e.g. the Polytechnic registry file and college or department file
would contain the name and address of a student. This would
mean that a simple change of address has to be processed in two
and probably three or four places, depending on the number of
other files on which these data appear Phil S. (2000). As further
noted by (Vecchioli .B. 1999) organizing and managing student
records into a cohesive and efficient system might seem like an
impossible task.
Consequently, the development of the concept of database
is the answer to student’s efficient record keeping where the
amount of redundant data is reduced and the possibility that data
contained on a file might be inaccurate because they were never
updated. Various applications have been developed to address a
number of these issues but the proprietary nature of user-oriented
systems has not made it possible to have a good survey of such
systems. There is a wide array of existing information and
information needs, yet schools are often limited by personnel and
financial concerns ( Vecchioli .B. 1999).
Furthermore, the design and implementation of a
comprehensive student application form and user interface is to
replace the current paper records (Zhibing, .L. 2010). Polytechnic
Staff are able to directly access all aspects of a student’s
academic progress through a secure interface embedded in the
polytechnic’s web site. The system utilizes user authentication,
displaying only information necessary for an individual’s duties
(Oketunji S.F. 2002).
Additionally, each sub-system has authentication allowing
authorized users to create or update information in that
subsystem. All data is thoroughly reviewed and validated on the
server before actual record alteration occurs. In addition to a staff
user interface, the system plans for student user interface,
allowing users to access information and submit requests online
thus reducing processing time. All data is stored securely on the
school database managed by the Polytechnic administrator and
ensures highest possible level of security. The system features a
complex logging system to track all users’ access and ensure
conformity to data access guidelines and is expected to increase
the efficiency of the polytechnic’s record management thereby
decreasing the work hours needed to access and deliver student
records to users (Dall .M. 2004).
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS
Due to the manual means been used by Nacabs
Polytechnic Akwanga, keeping information about student
application, a lot of problems are encountered which includes:
Delay in processing admission

b. Staff work load is heavy and resources are not optimized well to
find the best students.
c. Loss of vital document as the filing system is manual.
d. Damage of document due to fire or rain incident.
e. Illegal removal of forms by fraudulent staff leading to insecurity.
f. Take a lot of time to retrieve a particular application form
g. cost of transport by students applying from various states.
1.3 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The aim of this study is to design an online students
admission system in Nacabs Polytechnic, Akwanga. Its objectives
are to have the following:
To develop online student admission system that will replace the
manual method.
To develop, promote, and provide adequate and efficient
information management system.
To maintain an efficient system of collecting, sorting and delivery
of students information.
To eliminate the error involved with the manual method of
checking student’s information for admission.
To save the time wasted with manual method of checking
student’s information.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
It is hoped that the result of this study title, “design and
implementation of online student admission system” will serve as
tools for helping students who wish to register for their ND and
HND programs, and will go a long way to help the staff and the
school management. This is easy to achieve since standard and
tested computer programs handle all sort of complex calculations,
storage and retrieval of valuable information needed from the
school.
Also, important is the fact that records prepared with
electronic machine can be stored as long as needed in non-bulky
and compact systems. And this will be of important to students in
following ways:
It will save time: participant can sign up online when and where is
most convenient for them in just a few minutes without having to
print, manually out and send paper forms.
Receive e-mail and notification: participant can get the ability to be
informed straight to their inbox.
Improve student support: you will get all the necessary information
to answer immediately to any of the payment related questions a
participant might have.
For staffs it will be of important in following ways:
It will save time: opening, entering and sorting out illegible or
inaccurate forms can be very time consuming, so just by
eliminating this process off your duties you are set to get at least
4 less administrative work hours per week
Centralized data management: collect participants data and
payment, viewing number of remaining participant places, analyze
participant and payment reporting, e-mail the participant data and
more.
Secured payment process, active network payment, reduce data
redundancy.
1.5 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
This project work is narrowed to Nacabs Polytechnic,
Akwanga. It deals with the development of students online
admission system on a database that will help in the storing of
student’s information.
Owing to the scope of this project work as stated above, this
project work is limited to students online admission process. It is
important to mention here that time was a major constraint in the
course of fact finding. It is also wise to mention here that some
information we need to work with was not collected because of
the unwillingness of the staff to review such information.
In the manual method of data collection, the student will buy
the form, filled it and submit it manually to the admission
department and wait for the admission. After the admission has
been given to the student, the student will now come and collect
his/her admission form, and go to his/he department for the
clearance, and to the bursary department for the payment of
school fees. After the payment of the school fees, then the student
will now proceed for online course registration.
The new system is designed to solve problem affecting the
manual system in use. It is design to be used in a database format
thereby relieving both student and staff from much stress as
experienced from the manual system.
The proposed system will also have some other features
like; Accuracy in handling of data, Fast rate of operation and
excellent response time, Flexibility (i.e. it can be accessed at any
time), Easy way of back up or duplicating data in diskette in case
of data loss, Better storage and faster retrieval system and
Accessibility from any part of the world.