Enrique Soto
The Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) has successfully undergone a digital transformation in school management, reducing waiting times, optimizing resources, and simplifying procedures for students by incorporating new technologies into the admission and scholarship allocation processes. This transformation also includes the issuance of digital diplomas, transcripts, and certificates, as well as the upcoming implementation of digital kiosks for school-related transactions.
The Secretary of Educational Services at IPN, Marco Antonio Sosa Palacios, asserts that this administration, led by the Director General of the Politécnico, Arturo Reyes Sandoval, has achieved an unprecedented advancement in streamlining and digitizing school-related procedures for the benefit of the IPN community.
Sosa Palacios explains that over a year ago, this educational institution began its efforts toward digital transformation in student admissions by implementing the Online Admission Exam for Higher Education. This allows students to take the exam from their respective locations within the country or anywhere in the world.
"The digital transformation has also impacted the admission process by bringing school services into the digital realm. Now, our students receive their social security number, email address (integrated into the School Administration System - SAES), and student ID from the moment of admission," he affirms.
Master Sosa Palacios maintains that digital transformation positively affects the evaluation and allocation of scholarships. He details that through the harmonization of databases and platforms, automated evaluations are conducted, complemented by human supervision.
"This process involves Artificial Intelligence; previously, the evaluation took weeks due to information exchange among various departments. Now, it is known immediately who is eligible for a scholarship (cultural, sports, institutional, transportation, or academic excellence) and who cannot receive one due to non-enrollment or failing subjects, in addition to preventing duplication," he emphasizes.
Sosa Palacios informs that the Centro Nacional de Cálculo (Cenac) developed the "IPN Official" software application, which provides access to the School Administration System's services. "Students, teachers, and support staff can now have a digital ID with this application. If for any reason it is lost or forgotten, it can be downloaded, granting free access to the school and facilitating various transactions within the Institute. To date, nearly 120,000 digital credentials have been issued," he emphasizes.
The head of Educational Services highlights that certificates and school transcripts are now entirely digital. "In one year, we have had over 700,000 downloads of digital transactions from all academic units, representing savings equivalent to 1,500 packs of paper, which is approximately 102 trees. This means that 3.5 transactions are downloaded for free by each of our students," he points out.
He explains that students who, for various reasons, need to work or study in other states or parts of the world can now apply for their electronic (digital) diplomas. Currently, this administrative process is in a pilot phase, with two academic units at IPN already implementing it.
"Previously, the traditional diploma process took about nine months to a year. If this trend continues, electronic diplomas will be issued almost immediately at all academic units across the three levels (high school, higher education, and postgraduate) starting from the next semester. All electronic diplomas will be validated by the General Directorate of Professions at the Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP)," he points out.
The official announces that IPN will soon have digital kiosks for school management, similar to those operated by the government of Mexico City, allowing students to complete transactions such as ID card issuance, electronic diplomas, and certificates, among others.
He emphasizes that work is currently underway on the systems with various academic units. Marco Antonio Sosa indicates that the kiosk prototype will be presented in October 2023, to bring school-related transactions closer to the students.
He adds that the initial prototypes will be strategically installed at the Zacatenco and Santo Tomás Casco Professional Units. He asserts that in the future, these kiosks will be progressively installed in different academic units.
"The time has come to stop worrying about all the paperwork, such as ID card issuance or certificates. Now, we must entrust these processes to automation. The digital era of IPN is here to stay. The demands of the community have driven the Polytechnic's digital transformation. We are responding to the voices of our students, which have materialized into tangible projects," he concludes.
Gaceta Politécnica #1739. (August 31st, 2023). IPN Imagen Institucional: Read the full magazine in Spanish here
INSTITUTO POLITÉCNICO NACIONAL
D.R. Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN). Av. Luis Enrique Erro S/N, Unidad Profesional Adolfo López Mateos, Zacatenco, Alcaldía Gustavo A. Madero, C.P. 07738, Ciudad de México. Conmutador: 55 57 29 60 00 / 55 57 29 63 00.
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