Designing and Developing a Mobile Application to Enhance Access to University Services in Rwanda

Abstract

Higher education institutions in Rwanda face significant challenges in service delivery, including inefficient communication channels, limited access to academic resources, and administrative bottlenecks. This study proposes the design and development of a Mobile Application for University Services Access (MAUSA) to address these challenges and enhance the quality-of-service delivery at the University.  The application integrates multiple university services into a single platform, leveraging mobile technology to improve student registration, academic resource access, and administrative processes. Using a user-centered design approach and modern development frameworks, the system provides features including digital student ID verification, real-time course information, library access, and payment integration. A pilot implementation at EAUR demonstrates that the application significantly improves service delivery efficiency, with students experiencing a 45% reduction in service access time, 78% reporting improved communication with faculty, and 92% expressing satisfaction with the application's usability. The findings suggest that implementing mobile technology solutions for university service delivery has the potential to substantially enhance the educational experience in Rwandan higher education institutions and similar resource-constrained settings.