E-convocation certificates to end students’ woes

To eliminate the inordinate delay that a majority of students face in getting their degree certificates — that many times holds up their entry into the job market or applications for further studies — Bangalore-based testing and skills assessment company, MeritTrac, has come up with a technology-led solution for secure distribution of digital convocation certificates online.

Announcing the national launch of this unique service ‘CertiTrac’ at a recent press conference in the city, co-founder and CEO of MeritTrac, Madan Pataki, said, “The CertiTrac platform, implemented at Bangalore University, will allow university graduates to access their certificates online, without having to personally visit the university. It will be functional from the end of the current academic year.”

The e-convocation certificate is initially visible in preview mode for any corrections by students before the final e-certificate is generated. Students can print or download the e-convocation certificate for a specific period until the original degree certificates are dispatched. The e-certificate comes with an expiry date, after which it becomes inaccessible. 

Pataki also spoke about the secure layers of access and verification at every stage. “CertiTrac is the most secure and scalable way of distributing digital certificates. The entire process of verification and approval by university officials is also automated in the back-end. Thus, there will be no more standing in queues, delays and repeated follow-up visits required by students.” He added that the service will improve the administrative process in universities and benefit students immensely.  

MeritTrac had also organised an interactive seminar on ‘Innovation in examinations and assessments and the role of technology’ the same day. Experts who shared their views on the subject include Arun Nigavekar (former chairman, University Grants Commission), R Bhaskaran (CEO, Indian Institute of Banking and Finance, Mumbai), RS Tiwari (director, Computer Studies, Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, Nashik) and MA Mulay (special consultant for online projects at Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education).      

“Due to technology, the boundaries between face-to-face and distance education learning have disappeared. Technology-based solutions for the examination process and assessment must help in maintaining transparency, fairness and security, along with putting students at ease,” said Nigavekar at the seminar.