Enhancing Alumni Connectivity through a Web Portal Developed via Iterative Methods

Abstract

Connecting with alumni is vital for educational institutions as it raises professional networking opportunities, enhances the institution's reputation, and provides valuable opportunities for both students and graduates. It is observed that Jigme Namgyel Engineering College (JNEC) faces constant challenges in connecting with its alumni due to the lack of a comprehensive alumni database since data are saved in document-based. To address this, a web-based called JNEC Alumni Portal was proposed to create a centralized repository for alumni data where users can search and retrieve the data anytime or anywhere. The portal was developed using the Laravel framework, utilizing PHP for the backend and a MariaDB database for data storage. During the development, Reverse Engineering and Iterative methodologies were followed to ensure a systematic approach with detailed planning and documentation. The portal can enable networking, and collaboration, and provide valuable resources for the college administration, faculty, and students. The portal features a comprehensive database of alumni profiles, including names, contact details, graduation years, and affiliations. The search functionality also enables easy access to specific alumni based on conditions such as graduation year or programme of study. Additionally, an event sub-system keeps the alumni informed about college activities.