Student data management at educational institutions is a continuous cycle of capturing, analyzing, and reporting information. The sheer volume of student data can be overwhelming, and effective management of this data is imperative for accurate decision-making.

A modern answer to these challenges is Microsoft Fabric, an AI-powered analytics platform, that unifies multiple Microsoft tools to streamline data and analytics workflows, improving data visibility, quality, and management.

Let’s look at how a leading private university utilized Microsoft Fabric and Copilot to achieve this goal, with Noventiq.

A Prominent Private University with a Massive Student Base

The customer is one of the largest private universities in India and has consistently ranked as one of the best universities in the world. Recognized by the UGC and accredited “A+” by the NAAC, they offer a variety of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs across various disciplines.

With several campuses in India and abroad, the private university is home to over 1,00,000 students and is renowned for its emphasis on research, innovation, and holistic education.

Challenges in Student Data Management

A university of this stature has to handle vast amount of student data, and efficient data management is essential to streamlining administrative processes, improving communication, and driving accurate decision-making.

The customer faced significant challenges in managing student data. Primary issues included:

• Data Silos: Student data was fragmented across multiple MS SQL databases and an unidentified NoSQL source. This fragmentation resulted in data silos, making it difficult to consolidate and analyze information efficiently. Consequently, initiatives aimed at comprehensive student support were hampered.
• Limited Data Exploration: The lack of a centralized platform for data analysis and visualization significantly limited the customer’s ability to explore and interpret student data effectively. This limitation hindered the ability to understand student needs and trends, impeding strategic decision-making.

Noventiq’s Solution and Implementation

To address these challenges, Noventiq implemented a robust solution utilizing Microsoft Fabric and Copilot. The project was executed in two phases.

In Phase 1, Noventiq initiated the setup of a comprehensive data ingestion framework. A dedicated Fabric workspace was created, and Copilot-enabled resources were allocated to drive AI-powered data transformation.

Secure network connectivity was established for authorized users and data sources, including integration with the on-premises network for seamless access to student data. Multiple data transfer tests were conducted to ensure smooth data integration.

As a result, Noventiq was able to integrate Copilot functionality into the data pipeline seamlessly. Student data was efficiently collected, and the implementation of Microsoft Fabric enabled effective data analytics.

In Phase 2, Noventiq built on the foundation established in Phase 1. The integrated Copilot functionality can now be used to analyze student bot interaction data, helping the customer to identify common student queries and concerns.

Noventiq also assisted the customer to develop interactive dashboards that provided a holistic view of student engagement and trends.

The Impact

By leveraging Microsoft Fabric and AI-powered assistance, the customer was able to streamline data management and greatly enhance student experiences. The benefits included:

• Improved Data Quality: Centralized data management and automated data pipelines ensured data consistency and accuracy.
• Enhanced Data-Driven Decision Making: Streamlined data access and analysis empowered university staff to make data-driven decisions regarding student support services.
• Increased Operational Efficiency: Automated data ingestion freed up resources for staff to focus on higher-level tasks.
• Deeper Student Insights: Copilot-assisted analysis of student bot interactions provided valuable insights into student needs and concerns.

The Way Forward

With the transformative capabilities of Microsoft Fabric and Copilot, Noventiq has enabled the leading private university to achieve significant improvements in data quality, visibility, management, and analytics.

Moving forward, Noventiq will continue to support the customer with value-added services, ensuring the institution remains at the forefront of data innovation.