Bhubaneswar, April 11: A group of techies from the state has changed the way application systems work in Indian universities and colleges.
The team has developed FormsDotStar, an online platform that enables students to apply at multiple institutes across the country in an organised way.
It all started when engineering graduate from KIIT University Bikash Sahoo was trying to apply for an MBA programme.
“There were a large number of business schools to choose from and the application process at one institute was different from the other. It was very confusing. Getting an application form meant visiting coaching institutes and bank counters, not to forget the long queues,” said Bikash.
Bikash was already working and it was difficult for him to get leave.
“Most of the institutions were situated outside the state and it wasn’t possible to get forms without actually visiting the campuses and purchasing them manually. There were good institutes in Calcutta and I had to take three days leave to travel and collect two forms. In addition to the leave, the entire process cost me Rs 5,000. It was crazy,” he said.
This was when he and some friends got together to develop FormsDotStar, an online enrolment management system for educational institutions.
Today FormsDotStar is one of the largest online platforms for forms. It is operating in 22 states and is headquartered in Bhubaneswar. More than 270 institutions of the state use this platform to set up their own enrolment management system and make it convenient for the students.
XIMB, XLRI, IRMA are some of the premier institutes that subscribe to the services of FormsDotStar.
“We work exclusively on forms and provide 24X7 support to students,” says vice-president, business development, Ajit Dash.
“With modern technology and support mechanism, today’s institutes and universities are making the application system a smooth experience. Some universities powered by FormsDotStar have started to offer application systems via mobile apps and are also coming up with innovative methods to make their applications go viral,” said Dash.
“Today’s generation is racing ahead from the web world to mobile apps and every individual desires to accomplish work instantly. Keeping this in mind, educational institutes are also on the way to revolutionise the online enrolment management system completely and be part of the digital India endeavour,” said co-founder Debdutt Sahoo.
