Digital layer with network intelligence elevates student experience

Despite a dramatic increase in global competitors, Ajman University has earned and maintained a place on the global map of higher education.

The 2022 QS World University Rankings lists it as one of the top 750 universities globally, with the fourth highest number of international students and ranking sixth in the ratio of visiting international faculty members. Ajman University enjoys five-star ratings across eight categories including teaching, employability, internationalisation, academic development, facilities, online learning, social responsibility and inclusiveness.

"Ajman University aims to be internationally recognised as one of the leading universities in the Arab world for its cutting-edge learning environment, impactful research, responsible outreach and community engagement," says Chancellor Karim Seghir.

Adding a Digital Layer to the University Experience

The UAE has been one of the world's most dynamic economies over the past 20 years. It has attracted multinationals, created a booming tourism industry and seen its population triple in size. Ajman University's strength has been its ability to keep innovating.

The university now wants to create one of the country's most digitally advanced campuses. This is not a gimmick. The university sees digital transformation as a way to strengthen attendance, protect students' wellbeing and extend its education reach. It will also help build the skills needed to create a world-class remote learning proposition.

Key to this is a robust, flexible wireless network. Ajman University wants its mobile environment to support a range of modern use cases, from multimedia course content to location-based services to environmental monitoring.

"The Wi-Fi infrastructure is everything," says Inas Abou Sharkh, Director of Information Technology, Ajman University. "We know students live their lives online and on the move. Digital can make the learning experience more engaging."

Simplifying Course Attendance Tracking Through Digital Applications

Ajman University's engagement with Aruba goes back ten years. Today, the university's Aruba Edge Services Platform comprises 1,000 access points, AirWave network management and user authentication on ClearPass for network access control. Wi-Fi 6 access points blanket the campus with Bluetooth Beacons which provide a consolidated IoT connectivity interface for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee and other potential platforms.

"Aruba ensures the bandwidth and control we need," says Abou Sharkh. "It also provides the platform on which we can build new digital services."

One of the most eye-catching applications is MagiXEdu, a mobile app to confirm attendance and provide access to course materials.

Developed by IPMagiX, a smart solutions provider in the Middle East, the app is essential to the smooth running of the university. Students are required to register their attendance at classes using facial recognition technology, with their location determined by beacons in the Aruba Wi-Fi 6 access points.

The app also uses the Aruba Meridian location services platform to provide push-notification, Blue Dot and wayfinding around the university campus. Class updates or other last-minute changes can be pinged to students.

"We have to meet regulations established by the Ministry of Education," explains Abou Sharkh. "One of which is students need a 75% course attendance record. If they don't, they fail the course."

Previously, the faculty would have to mark attendance and submit paper records. Now, the onus is on students to register via the phone when they arrive in class. The university has an immediate record. This information can be used to identify and support students in need of help or provide the appropriate facilities for classrooms. In the past, the whole registration process would have taken up to 15 minutes to complete but now takes less than two minutes.

Uncovering Insights to Inform Future Improvements

Understanding this wealth of new data will help inform ongoing improvements at Ajman University. The Aruba beacons and Wi-Fi help create heatmaps of the campus, enabling the university to improve signposting or service schedules. This insight will be needed as the university adds more buildings and understands capacity requirements.

"We know Covid-19 had a huge impact. It will be interesting to see how many of these changes are long term. But one thing is certain, higher education will remain hybrid," says Abou Sharkh.

Ajman University currently has 5,500 students and is marketing itself in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. It also has agreements with universities in Europe to support exchange programmes. Inevitably, the university will become more international and diverse. This will require it to have a clearer idea, not just of students' physical presence, but of their cultural habits.

"The university experience, particularly for undergraduates, is more than the education part. It is an opportunity to meet new people, hear new perspectives," says Abou Sharkh. "We believe the campus experience is critical."

Restricting campus access to help tackle Covid-19

Among the changes caused by Covid-19 was the need to restrict access to the campus and to report attendance. The university was able to manage this effectively in part due to the strength of the Aruba wireless network. While it flexed to new online learning platforms, the university could also close certain classrooms or restrict numbers to respect social distancing.

"We had to submit data to the Ministry of Education every day," says Abou Sharkh. "So we created a QR code system where we could track who was entering which building and check this against a valid PCR test. Doing so, we were the first university to create this system and share our experience with others."

Such rigour has helped the UAE recover more quickly than others from the impact of the pandemic. Through 2021, the UAE had one of the world's highest testing and vaccination rates.

Developing an Online Experience to Extend Global Reach

It can be difficult to separate out the impact of Covid-19 from other longer-term changes to the education sector. Ajman University students adapted quickly to online coursework and video materials but the trend was already in this direction.

"Of course, we know students read but we also understand they like to watch videos. It's important that our Wi-Fi network remains robust enough to support massive increases in video streaming from anywhere on campus," says Abou Sharkh. "Similarly, our faculty also understands the impact of multimedia content. We now have a library of online material and greater ability for faculty to create multimedia content."

This experience, Abou Sharkh continues, will serve Ajman University well. It creates an environment where students and staff are comfortable experimenting with new methods. The new app will enable teachers to 'push' questions to students, whether they are in class or online. Data will show how well certain content is received. A hybrid approach to coursework is inevitable.

It also strengthens the university's ability to deliver an online-only experience. "This may enable us to extend our reach into Asia and Africa," says Abou Sharkh. "The campus experience will always be our priority but an online experience allows us to engage with a new audience at a new price point."