As a Mum of three and one of them a teenager, I understand the demands and interests of Gen Z as good as anybody. When it comes to the average age of students attending universities, we are looking at 18–20-year-olds. Mobile-phone-addicts, immersed in technology since birth, and have expectations for processes to be easier and more automated than they once were. Universities and institutions should strive to constantly seek innovative ways to enhance their onboarding process and improve the overall student experience.
How can your institution shine above the rest?
With the advent of technology, tools like Microsoft Power Apps have emerged as invaluable assets, enabling educational institutions to revolutionise their approach to onboarding and student engagement. So, let’s delve into the transformative potential of Microsoft Power Apps in redefining onboarding and elevating the student experience to new heights.
Since the recent A-level results release, there is no time like now to transcend into using Power Apps as an automated and centralised hub on your institution’s on-boarding process. Year by year, I expect the demand and expectations on educational institutions to incorporate modern technologies into their processes, to increase exponentially.
Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all onboarding processes. Microsoft Power Apps empowers educational institutions to design personalised onboarding journeys for incoming students – that suit their brand. From streamlined application submissions to seamless document uploads, institutions can now offer a tailored and intuitive experience that sets the tone for the entire academic journey. Through the creation of dynamic workflows, Power Apps ensure that no student is left behind in the maze of administrative procedures.
Nowadays there’s a race to gain high quality students - whether through initial applications or clearing – so it’s important that your institution shines above the rest. Streamlined on-boarding and automated systems could be the nail in the coffin to secure the best students and maintain an institutions successful reputation. The digital age demands convenience and accessibility. These students are used to interactive apps like Instagram and TikTok, where you receive content fast and concisely.
Working with Akari and Power Apps allows institutions to craft interactive student portals that serve as centralised hubs for essential information. From class schedules and grades to course materials and campus resources, students can access all they need in a single location. This empowerment translates to more engaged and informed students who can focus on their studies and campus involvement with ease.
Beyond students, we also need to consider our teaching staff. Teachers are often already feeling misunderstood and under supported in their work, so it’s important to prioritise their experience and streamline their workflow where possible. Administrative tasks are notorious for their potential to overwhelm staff and delay processes. But building your own app enters a lifeline of automation. From enrolment and registration to fee payments and document verification, Power Apps automates these time-consuming tasks, freeing up valuable resources and reducing the risk of errors. As a result, institutions can operate more efficiently while ensuring a smoother onboarding experience.
Leaving no student behind:
Mobile devices are now extensions of us, especially for students - Power Apps capitalises on this trend by enabling the creation of mobile-friendly applications. Students can access vital information and complete tasks on the go, fostering a culture of constant engagement. This mobile accessibility not only aligns with the needs of modern students but also demonstrates the institution's commitment to adapting to evolving technologies.
Effective communication lies at the heart of a successful education experience. But today institutions can establish seamless communication channels connecting students, faculty, advisors, and administrative staff. Real-time interaction and collaboration become the norm, enhancing support, and ensuring that no student feels isolated in their academic journey.
‘In the academic year 2021/2022, there has been an overall rise of 28% in the number of English University first year dropouts.’
-Student Loan Company
Since the pandemic, learning is no longer confined to the classroom walls. Using an app can create interactive learning tools and applications that engage students beyond traditional lectures. By gamifying learning experiences and offering personalised learning paths, universities can cater to diverse learning styles and pique student curiosity, resulting in a more holistic and fulfilling educational journey.
I believe that the role of app building - in revolutionising onboarding and enhancing student experiences within educational institutions - cannot be overstated. Through customised onboarding processes, interactive student portals, automation of administrative tasks, mobile accessibility, seamless communication channels, and innovative learning tools, Power Apps elevates the education experience to new heights. As universities continue to adapt to the digital era, embracing the power of technology-driven solutions like Power Apps is a pivotal step towards creating a more engaging, efficient, and student-centred educational environment.
How can we help?
As a leading Power Platform digital transformation specialist, at Akari, we work closely with institutions to understand their unique needs and challenges. Based on this understanding, we develop customised low-code solutions tailored to your specific requirements. Our team of experts have extensive experience in developing applications that are user-friendly, efficient, and scalable and have worked with some of the biggest brands in the UK and beyond. We use an eco-system of the latest Microsoft Technology and build around you - celebrating each client’s uniqueness and filling in the app gap, while also offering managed support and training.
Apps are a game-changer for organisations looking to streamline their operations, automate workflows, and gain valuable insights from their data. With Microsoft Solution's low-code tools and pre-built connectors to a wide range of data sources and application - and the help of Akari - it's never been easier to build custom applications that solve everyday business problems without the messy and extensive coding knowledge. At Akari, we are committed to helping our clients achieve their business objectives by leveraging the full potential of the Microsoft Power Stack.
We believe that creating a culture of continuous learning and knowledge sharing is essential in reaching professional excellence, and understanding how to get the most out of your solutions. We encourage developers to stay updated with industry trends, participate in our workshops, and share their knowledge within their teams to foster a proactive mindset to stay ahead of the curve.
Want to get in touch?
As a Microsoft FastTrack Ready Partner with extensive industry and technology experience, we help organisations to improve productivity. We are uniquely placed to drive the adoption of Microsoft Technologies and level up your organisations way of working using your use cases!
If you want to find out more information on using Power Platform to automate your processes, get in touch!
