Digital transformation — the buzzword that encompasses how companies, businesses and communities are evolving and adopting digital technologies for more seamless and efficient experiences, has become increasingly pertinent in how many modern industries operate and deliver value to customers, including the educational sector. 

Even in the higher education sector, we are seeing a cultural change towards how the learning experience can be improved upon to create a more engaging and effective education process. Additionally, universities are also partnering with technology solutions partners, like the home-grown fintech enabler Kiplepay Sdn Bhd, a Green Packet company, to further enhance the digital lifestyles of their students and staff by building digital university campuses using the kiplePay e-wallet. This has been especially key as with the advent of the pandemic, many have turned towards online classes and virtual check-ins with teachers, to provide continuity. 

It has been a paradigm shift for everyone, as not only students will have to get used to these changes but also teachers, administrators and even parents will have to adapt. What does that mean for university students? Here are a few ways that forward-thinking universities have adapted to enhance the modern student learning experience with kiplePay.

Benefits for Students: Manage your university life from one app 

Imagine embarking on a new digital journey on your first day as a university student. As part of introduction to the campus, you are asked to download the kiplePay app and add your student ID to the kipleUni community, which is there to help navigate through your essentials including university services and payments.

Firstly, you will need to obtain your student identification card. Part of the digital campus transformation is incorporating digital elements into the student lifestyle and this is one of your first touchpoints by having a digital student ID. This will allow you to securely authenticate yourself when using online university facilities such as university website access, class attendance and the examination hall; as well as assist with administration matters including hostel registration and library fee payment. With kiplePay, creating your student ID is a simple onboarding experience that will only take minutes to be verified and approved.  

As you familiarise with the platform and the various features, you will notice that the app has familiar e-wallet features. Part of the university’s digital transformation journey in cultivating and supporting a cashless community is having features that can assist you to pay for on-campus expenses and at selected merchants. There is also the option to link your debit/credit cards in the app which can allow you to make direct payment from your bank account. For students who are eligible for distributed funds, they receive those allocated funds directly into the kiplePay e-wallet for ease of use. 

If you are interested in campus news, kiplePay is there to help you stay up to date with official announcements and latest information as well. Find information on relevant student services such as the availability of educational materials in the campus bookstore, or non-university related services such as laundry and public transport within the app for ease of convenience. There are also F&B promotions and updates as well, so you can always stay connected with campus even if you are unable to be physically there.

Benefits for Universities: Simplify administrative and payment processes

One of the mainstays of university life previously was the number of protocols, procedures and paperwork when dealing with administration, which often ends up a tedious process. Well, that’s not the case anymore as whether it’s about fee payments or course advice, today’s universities have started leveraging on technology to help them simplify these vital processes. 

With kiplePay, universities are able to consolidate all payments and transactions on a single platform. Not only does this improve transaction tracking and accountability on the administration side, but it allows students the ability to keep track of transactions as well. With time-consuming processes cut down, this enables universities to increase their focus on other aspects of the overall academic and student development, ultimately allowing universities to listen and hear what students have to say. 

Overall, kiplePay allows university administrators to streamline services, and monitor and manage:

•    University fees and payments for ease of reference and transparency 

•    Digital student IDs for e-attendance, fund distributions and payments

•    Campus facilities and room booking for meetings or study sessions

•    Aid distribution

Delving into the mindset of today’s students, the experience matters almost as much as the actual learning and through kiplePay, universities have additional means to ensure that even the most tedious administration matters can be simplified and modernised. 

Benefits for SMEs: Enable cashless access for university merchants

Another part of the adjustment to university life involves finding new places to eat, shop and also essential services that will assist with everyday chores. One of the ways kiplePay is there to assist is by organising merchants and businesses serving on campus, and providing digital means to access them via the app. Whether you are looking to kickstart the day with some breakfast, or if you are looking to settle laundry at the end of the day, students have the means to access a wide variety of businesses on- and around-campus through the Kiple Merchant feature.

In this current environment, this is equally important as most of these businesses belong in the Small and Medium Enterprises or SMEs category. At the beginning of the pandemic, the hashtag #supportlocalbusiness appeared to raise awareness around the importance of buying from our local businesses. Universities have taken this mindset a step further by ensuring students have the options to stay connected with relevant businesses and allowing businesses the ability to reach out to more customers. If you want to use the kiplePay e-wallet for on-campus transactions, the payment process is fuss-free as you can simply scan the QR code at the cashier to pay or order the items through the app and pick-up after. 

Enabling a Digital Campus Lifestyle 

There’s no doubt that the typical university experience once imagined has changed. With the inclusion of technology, students will continue to have opportunities for self-development, and you can find this to be true as universities establish and build their digital campuses and communities. 

Kiplepay will remain steadfast in its efforts to transform the education and e-commerce sector. As part of the community for the past 20 years, the mission moving forward remains to provide innovative and cutting-edge technologies that contribute to the nation’s growth and progress. As industries continue towards the next stage of digitalisation, Kiplepay will continue to help those who may not have the tools or solutions to keep up and provide the necessary technology capabilities to enable communities to build and lead digital lifestyles that they can thrive in.

Learn more about Kiplepay Sdn Bhd, a Green Packet company, and entire array of digital solutions at 20years.greenpacket.com. 

Source: CEO Morning Brief - The Edge Malaysia