Big Data in Education: 15% Increase In Enrolments + 25% Reduction In Dropouts + Enhanced Student Engagement!

Client Overview

The client is a renowned university in Southeast Asia. They wanted to develop a comprehensive, 360-degree view of each student by integrating data from various sources.

This approach, known as “Student 360,” integrates diverse data sources to enhance personalization and support for each student at the university. This “Student 360” approach will then be used to segment students based on their profiles, and communications can be tailored to meet the student’s specific needs and preferences.

By leveraging this approach, the university can create a more personalized and supportive environment for students, leading to better outcomes for both students and the institution.

Objectives

• Develop a holistic understanding of each student through the integration of diverse data sources.
• Segment students to provide customized support and communications.
• Enhance student engagement and success, fostering better outcomes for both the students and the institution.

Challenges

The university needed to consolidate varied data types into a single, cohesive system that could accurately reflect the diverse needs and behaviours of its student body.

Solutions

• Data from a variety of sources were used to develop the Student360 approach. They included:
  • Academic Records: Grades, course enrolments, and attendance.
  • Behavioural Data: Library usage, campus facility access, and online learning platform interactions.
  • Demographic Information: Age, gender, background, and major.
  • Financial Data: Scholarship details, tuition payments, and financial aid.
  • Engagement Data: Participation in extracurricular activities, event attendance, and feedback forms.
  • Social Media: Interactions with the university’s social media channels.

• The university then performed various student segmentations that included:
  • Academic Performance:
    • High Achievers: Students with consistently high grades. Send them information about advanced courses, research opportunities, and honours programs.
    • At-Risk Students: Students with declining grades. Provide resources for tutoring, academic counselling, and study workshops.
  • Engagement-Based Segmentation:
    • Highly Engaged Students: Active participants in extracurricular activities. Inform them about leadership roles, club events, and campus activities.
    • Less Engaged Students: Rarely participate in campus activities. Send personalized invitations to events, clubs, and workshops to increase their involvement.
  • Scholarship/ Financial Needs:
    • Students with Financial Aid: Share information about scholarship renewals, work-study opportunities, and financial literacy workshops.
    • Self-Funded Students: Offer tips on managing tuition payments, part-time job opportunities, and financial planning resources.

Results/Benefits

• 15% Increase in Enrolment: Effective recruitment and retention strategies lead to high enrolment rates and continued tuition revenue.
• 25% Reduction in Dropouts: By identifying and supporting at-risk students, the university minimizes revenue loss from student attrition.
• Operational Efficiency: Streamlined communication and support processes reduce administrative costs and improve overall efficiency.