UNISA implements SMS solution

Johannesburg, 18 Aug 2005

The University of SA (Unisa) yesterday entered into an agreement with cellular provider MTN, which will provide the institution with a bulk SMS solution for communicating with its more than 200 000 students.

Students will be able to receive messages from academic and support departments such as acknowledgements of receipt of registration forms, reminders to return library material and examination and assignment marks.

The service will also allow students to send messages asking for information or complete transactions such as requesting or renewing library material, checking account balances or submitting multiple-choice assignments.

The terms of the agreement are such that both the institution and the students will be charged per message sent. Unisa will pay according to its bulk SMS agreement and students will pay according to their contract or pay-as-you-go packages.

The move was to improve the university`s support of its student, said Unisa vice-chancellor Prof Barney Pityana at the official signing yesterday. "As most students have infrequent access to PCs we decided to go for a cellphone solution because the local cellular penetration is comparatively high."

He said the service was aligned with the mission and one of the strategies of the university: to address the needs of a diverse learner profile by offering relevant learner support, facilitated by appropriate ICT.

"With higher education at the centre of the human development strategy of this country, it is truly a privilege for us to enable one of the best universities in both SA and Africa to communicate with its stakeholders, through MTN`s cellular technology," said Maanda Manyatshe, MTN SA`s MD.

It is expected that the new service will lead to cost savings for both the university and its students - an SMS is cheaper than a telephone call or postage. It will also cut down on delays in replying to queries and improve the service and support to students, particularly those in the rural areas as automated responses will be available around the clock.

Manyatshe said MTN would work more closely with the university`s technical division to develop relevant technologies that will streamline operations at the institution.