A tech-enabled or smart campus is a technologically advanced, digitally enhanced campus where an intelligent ecosystem is developed through human and technology interaction to deliver immersive education, smarter outcomes, higher output, and automated experiences for all parties involved, especially students. To simply put, it’s a better and smarter campus.
Technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, so why not our university campuses? Campuses across the world are being successfully integrated and enhanced with technology and it is greatly benefiting the students. This paradigm shift benefits the current generation of students who are tech-savvy and thrive in a tech-enabled atmosphere. They look for a purpose and experience in everything they consume. Therefore, Indian university campuses have to upgrade to tech-enabled experiences that are in line with the technological advances of the real world.
The Indian education system is growing in stature every day. Today, we are providing the finest talents to the world who are leading innovation and change in business and society. Many top companies in the world are being led by Indian CEOs educated in the Indian system. Therefore, the world’s eyes are on us. To continue with this forward march, Indian universities, colleges, and schools have to get their technological infrastructure on par with international standards to continue giving our students the best opportunities to become future world leaders.
The modern student is always connected off-campus. They need to be connected on campus as well. Universities must try to replicate superior off-campus experiences. Students need to experience a seamless integration of their education with smart solutions that are easily and freely accessible. Information and data are the most valuable assets and students should be able to leverage them to their advantage. If students have unlimited access to digitised study materials, virtualised health services, round-the-clock healthy food delivery systems, secure online payment options, life quality enhancing services like laundromats and lodging, and clean air, water, and uninterrupted electricity connections. This way, students will be able to focus more on their education.
Students, faculty, and support staff end up wasting a lot of time on needless processes and procedures. Checking attendance, taking permissions, filling out forms, meeting officials, taking signatures, etc. result in a lot of delays that hamper the functioning of the campus. A tech-enabled campus cuts out the red tape allowing smoother implementation of processes and procedures. Since everything happens digitally and in real-time, there’s an overall enhancement in the functioning of the campus.
A safer campus is one of the biggest advantages of a tech-enabled campus. Many students are away from the safety and security of their homes; therefore, it is the duty of the campus authorities to ensure the students are safe. On a tech-enabled campus, it is easy to roll out interconnected security features to protect students, staff, and campus assets. CCTV monitoring systems, asset tracking, number plat scanners, motion-sensing lights and cameras, smart ID cards, digital signage, cybersecurity, and data protection can all be deployed in tech-enabled campuses to make them safer.
All modern businesses have adopted data-based decision-making and this has made a huge difference in their functioning. Campuses need this too. A tech-enabled campus can collect vast amounts of data based on student feedback and behaviour that can be further processed to make decisions that positively impact their education, extracurricular needs, staff requirements, and overall functioning of the campus. This type of data-based, sound decision-making can only become the norm in a tech-enabled campus.
The widespread, sweeping changes that technology is going to bring in the Indian education sector are inevitable. For universities and campuses, it is just a matter of how well they will be able to adopt technology and scale with it. A tech-enabled campus can stay with the times and easily adopt and scale advancements according to the needs of the students and the education system.
A tech-enabled campus can create and function on a unified platform, making life much easier for all. On a digital unified platform, students, staff, and campus authorities can interact and communicate. They can give feedback, raise complaints, address issues, roll out new regulations, and provide important notifications. Such a platform can create dynamic engagement, promote a digital culture, and give a pathway for clear, honest, and open communication.
Connecting utilities to digital technologies can considerably reduce operational and maintenance costs. Smart monitoring can solve small issues before they turn into big problems. Automation can help save on precious resources like water and electricity. Staff can bypass red tape and quickly deploy workers for repairs and maintenance. Everyone can focus on their main job and not be side-tracked by other issues.
A tech-enabled campus also opens opportunities to earn additional revenue. Today, most campuses are dependent on students’ tuition, government grants, and donations, but a tech-enabled campus can become a revenue-maker. Since such a campus generates vast amounts of data, they can participate in studies. They can also find technology sponsors who can sponsor the implementation of various technologies and smart products. The opportunities are endless.
Along with choosing a course, students also choose their campus, and today’s tech-savvy students will be more inclined to study on a tech-enabled campus. They will line up to be a part of a cutting-edge university campus where they receive better education and experiences, where they are safe and have access to the latest innovations and technological advances that will take education and campus life to the next level. Your campus will become a model for other campuses to emulate.
There are many advantages to a tech-enabled campus but the biggest advantage is that they are better for the students and the education system. Technology is an unstoppable juggernaut that has already bettered many industries and systems. Therefore, campuses should take this important step for the betterment of their students.
To study at a tech-enabled campus, you won’t have to go far. MIT ADT University located in the heartland of education, Pune, offers extensive tech experiences with a robust IT infrastructure, solar-powered campuses, innovative labs with Apple authorized installations for students to get the best out of their education and be at the top of their industry. To know more, visit our website today!