Adikavi Nannaya University has been implementing many developmental measures to improve facilities for students by digitalizing the procedures. In order to provide students with information through an official channel, Adikavi Nannaya University has taken its step by creating an official app “AKNU Student Support Services App“ and a co-operative app “AKNU SSS Admin App“ for administrative control. In amid of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were a lot of fake news being published by various unauthorized sources, thereby pushing students into confusion about their academics. To put an end to this fake information, the “AKNU Student Support Services App“ lets students to know the valid information about university in official channel.

Objectives of the practice

1. To provide official information to students.
2. Provide various levels of notice boards.
3. To provide an official communication channel for students and respective Head of department.
4. To provide an official communication channel for Head of departments, Principals and Administrators.
5. To accept grievances from students.
6. To know the students ideas and innovations.
7. To improve the facilities provided for students thereby for colleges.
8. To provide platform for students to share their ideas by uploading images and documents through this channel.
9. To provide a platform for students to ask their queries directly with the Head of the department.
10. To provide a platform for the Head of the department to clarify the doubts of students asked in the App.
This App provides students a platform to bring up their ideas to the administration for the development of college and University.
This also provides students a legitimate channel to discuss about their problems.

The Context

Adikavi Nannaya University is always there at students reach and through this practice, it is more evident. This provides a better chance for students to nurture their ideas and exploring new options. It also provides easy communication and trusted information for the students from the department and University. This practice is to be utilized at the Campus colleges (i.e. Adikavi Nannaya University – Rajahmundry, AKNU PG Campus – Kakinada, AKNU – Tadepalligudem).

The Practice

Adikavi Nannaya University is always there at students reach and through this practice, it ismore evident. This provides a better chance for students to nurture their ideas and exploring new options. The program is aimed at:
1. Providing students with official information at different levels (i.e. University level, College level, Department level).
2. Providing students with their respective academic syllabus at ease.
3. Providing an official communication channel for students and administration (i.e. Achatbox for student and Head of Department, A group chat for student with all the department students).
4. Providing an official grievance cell for students to submit their grievances or problems pertaining in the University or Colleges.
5. A separate App i.e. AKNU SSS Admin App for administration helps admins to monitor the AKNU student Support Services App and also reduces the load on the app.
This practice is to be utilized at the Campus colleges (i.e. Adikavi Nannaya University – Rajahmundry, AKNU PG Campus – Kakinada, AKNU – Tadepalligudem).

Evidence of Success of “AKNU Student Support Services APP“:

This has eased the students with finding the genuine information amid COVID-19 pandemiclockdown.
The students have also found it useful for sharing their ideas. The students have also found it useful for conveying problems to the administration.

Problems Encountered and Resources Required

Problems encountered: The App is to be secured from data breach and to be provided with security. This is the first application released by the University for the students, hence there was a challenge in alerting students and faculty.
The students are to be encouraged to install the application, as they may feel it unnecessary with the existence of website. There should be a constant monitoring of needs and regular updates are to be provided in order to secure the application.

Resources Required:

Software Requirements for Development:

• Android studio
• Java
• Android
• NoSQL
• Firebase
• Backendless

Requirements for User:

• Android OS minimum version 5.1
• Ram min 1 GB
• Internal memory: 25MB
• Connectivity features: Internet
• The students are to be trained in creating applications and for the real world
• The faculty and students also need to be trained to use the application.

Notes

AKNU has been successful in every aspect it attempted to help students and this practice alsomade it evident and plays an important role in current world where information and data security iscrucial.The "AKNU Student Support services App" need further flip and faculty and students must contribute their might in improving the application and also should work to make app reach every student. We have two Separate Apps for Students and Staff (available in Google Play store). For Staff: AKNU SSS Admin App For Students: AKNU Student Support Services.

User Manual for Head of Department (AKNU SSS Admin App)

User Manual for Head of Department (AKNU SSS Admin App) The AKNU Student Support Services App is intended to provide students of AKNU with authorized information from University. The AKNU SSS Admin App is for Admins (i.e. Principals, Head of Department [referred as HOD hereafter], Administrator) to manage the students and update notifications.

Notice Boards and Notifications:

• The Notifications of respective department will be displayed in homepage for HOD. To check the notifications of other departments and colleges, click Other Notice Boards select the respective college and Department (select null at Department if you wish to see College notifications).
• Add Notification allows you to update notification at Department Notice Board.
• Delete Notification allows deleting updated notification updated by you.
• Only images or PDF format Documents are allowed to be updated as notifications.
• Students of respective department only can receive these notifications, students of other departments cannot receive, whereas admins of other departments can view the notifications.

Approving and Disapproving Students:

• Students registered needs to be approved by Head of Department.
• Approve students in option menu allow approving students by verifying their details.
• HOD should approve only students of their respective department, and disapprove if the student belongs to other department.
• A Student once disapproved should register new with correct details, but cannot be approved.

Communication:

Communication is the key feature for AKNU SSS App; click the Message Icon in header to enter Messenger.

• This app provides communication with Principal, Individual student, Department Group, Course wise Student Group.
• Course Groups: Groups with students course wise.
• Message to Principal: Chat box with Principal.
• Department Group: Group with Principal and other HODs under same college.
• Student messages will be shown below.
• New messages will be indicated with eye or dot and notification will be shown in mobile for new student messages.
• A student message will be considered as new message until replied.
• Chat box with students can be viewed by Principal for verification.

Blocking and Activating Students:

• Users of this app are allowed to place only genuine and valid content. Anyone found posting illegal or abused content can be penalized or taken action by University according to University rules.
• HODs should observe the students messages and Block Student and report to higher authority if student is found posting abused content or inappropriate messages.
• A blocked student can be activated through “Activate Blocked Student“ option.

• The app should be used only while a candidate is a member of University.
• Outgoing students are to be deactivated to use the app.
• “Deactivate Outgoing Students“ blocks the course completed students to use the app.
• Select the course of students and the joining year of the Batch to Deactivate.