Sidmach technologies introduces new e-registration system for JAMB

For efficient record keeping and elimination of the trauma associated with manual registration, as well as prevalent exam malpractices resulting from poor monitoring, Sidmach Technologies Nigeria Limited, a Microsoft Gold Partner, has designed an e-registration system for the Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB).
This will enable candidates register for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) online.
The process allows for seamless registration is primarily built on the Microsoft Visual Studio.Net and the SQL Server 2008 platforms.
The technology captures candidates’ bio-data, UTME Subjects, first and second choices of Institution and course, O/Level subjects and grades, examination town, passport photograph and biometric (fingerprint) data respectively.
In addition, e-system provide step by step instructions on how to fill the form online, even as it offers a simplified online brochure, which provides candidates with a variety of courses and institutions to choose from, taking into consideration their preferred catchment areas.
Similarly, the system provides information to JAMB on the candidates for the UTME, and it also provides reports to JAMB for the management of the examination.
Speaking on the new technology, Mr. Mike Olajide, Managing Director Sidmach Technologies said that, “The implementation of the project began with the capturing and validation of information, for the 1.49 million candidates who sat for the 2011 UTME.
The captured information was stored in a Microsoft SQL Server database which ensured trusted, productive, and intelligent data platform that provided excellent encryption which guarded against tampering, adding that that the project included the provision of 3,200 Fingerprint Scanners and HP mini laptops running Microsoft Windows 7 for the verification and attendance marking of candidates for the UTME. The Verification system was also developed using Microsoft tools.
While commending Sidmach Technologies on the successful implementation of this project, Adefolu Majekodunmi Channel, Services Director, Microsoft Nigeria said, “We are pleased with the progress being made by our partners in ensuring technology penetration in the country.
Microsoft will continue to give support through resource solutions especially for public sector capacity building.”
For Prof. Dibu Ojerinde, Registrar/CEO of JAMB, “If registration was done by someone different from the actual candidate for the examination, the data capturing machine would reject the candidate on the examination day because of the biometric difference.” This was another unique value added, as it curbed exam malpractice.
While expressing satisfaction with the biometric verification, Chief Johnson Barovbe, Director of Westminster College said that there was much improvement in the conduct of the examination this year as the system put fear into candidates and they became very cautious, noting that this in turn added to the peaceful conduct of the examination.
Overall, there has been a significant turnaround time with examination results released in less than one week.
The project was executed under the Public-Private-Project Implementation model so JAMB did not have to lay out the huge investment to implement the UTME e-registration immediately.