Tshwane University Of Technology ITS, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) is set to become the first South African University to allow students to access academic and financial information using the ITS Mobile platform.
TUT students will be provided with access to their university data from a variety of mobile platforms, including tablets, smartphones and other cellphones.
The apps provide students with access to academic, financial and residential information including exam timetables; exam results; registration information; admission status; financial statements and financial aid.
“The application was thoroughly tested by a team of seven TUT staff members from the enrolment and residence department, assessment management department, student debtors department and financial aid department who will be making use of the system extensively,” said Jeanette Moloya from TUT.
“These divisions are all happy that the system is now ready to go live to the wider student community.”
Tertiary apps
The TUT apps are provided by ITS Mobile – an Adapt IT company.
ITS My Campus is a set of apps that can be accessed from smartphones using the Apple, Blackberry and Android platforms – while ITS My Info offers the same information via SMS/Text messages, mobi or USSD to students who do not have Smartphones.
“ITS has partnered with two well-known companies with specific expertise in the area of mobile applications in order to bring this offering to market quickly,” said ITS MD, Derick Jordaan.
CampusEAI Consortium developed the ITS Mobile apps, while AltX-listed company, FoneWorx, supplied the mobile technology enabling non-smartphone users access to student data.
While TUT is the first tertiary institution to use ITS Mobile, it isn’t the first to introduce an app for use by students.
In June 2012, the University of Pretoria launched its own smartphone application, UP Mobile.
The app featured the ClickUP (Blackboard Learning Management System) application, which enabled the University to deliver teaching and learning information on mobile devices.