Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) is set to launch a dedicated mobile application to digitally track and verify student activity points, a move aimed at preventing fraud and bringing greater transparency to the co-curricular credit system. The decision follows repeated complaints and internal reviews that revealed misuse, fabrication of certificates, and inconsistencies in the allocation of activity points, which are mandatory for degree completion under VTU regulations. University officials say the new app will mark a decisive shift from manual, paper-based verification to a centralised, technology-driven monitoring mechanism.
The proposed application is also expected to introduce a culture of long-term planning among students when it comes to co-curricular engagement. Instead of rushing to accumulate points in the final semesters, students will be able to monitor their progress from the first year itself. University officials believe this will encourage sustained participation in activities rather than last-minute, token involvement. By visualising progress semester by semester, the app may nudge students to explore diverse interests, including community service, innovation challenges, and leadership roles.
Another significant feature under consideration is integration with attendance and academic records. VTU sources indicate that the university is examining whether activity participation can be cross-verified with institutional calendars and student attendance data to enhance authenticity. Such integration would ensure that activity claims align with actual timelines and academic commitments, making fraudulent submissions increasingly difficult. While this feature may be introduced in later phases, it reflects the university’s intent to create a tightly knit digital ecosystem rather than a standalone tracking tool.
College administrators have pointed out that the app could also help identify gaps in opportunities offered to students. Data analytics generated through the platform may reveal patterns such as limited access to sports or cultural activities in certain regions or institutions. VTU officials say this information could be used to design targeted interventions, funding support, or partnerships to ensure equitable exposure for students across affiliated colleges. In this sense, the app could evolve into a planning and policy-support tool rather than merely a monitoring mechanism.
There is also discussion around making the platform multilingual to ensure inclusivity. Given that VTU caters to students from diverse linguistic and socio-economic backgrounds, officials acknowledge that language barriers could hinder effective usage. Providing regional language options and simplified interfaces may help bridge the digital divide, particularly for first-generation learners. The university has indicated that user experience design will be prioritised to prevent the system from becoming intimidating or exclusionary.
Student unions have sought assurances that the app will not become overly rigid or reduce co-curricular engagement to a numbers-driven exercise. They argue that creativity, leadership, and social impact cannot always be quantified neatly. In response, VTU authorities have stated that while standardisation is necessary for fairness, qualitative assessment elements will continue to be recognised through structured evaluation parameters. The challenge, officials admit, lies in balancing flexibility with accountability.
Faculty members involved in student mentorship have welcomed the move, noting that clear documentation can help guide students more effectively. With access to verified records, mentors can better advise students on areas they may need to focus on, whether it is teamwork, social responsibility, or innovation. This could strengthen the mentoring ecosystem within colleges, aligning co-curricular growth more closely with academic and career planning.
From a regulatory perspective, the app may also simplify compliance during inspections and audits. Accreditation bodies often seek evidence of student engagement beyond academics, and inconsistent documentation has been a recurring challenge. A centralised digital repository of verified activity data could significantly reduce friction during such evaluations, presenting a clearer picture of institutional performance. VTU officials believe this will enhance the university’s standing in national academic assessments.
Ultimately, the success of the initiative will depend on consistent enforcement and cultural acceptance. Technology alone cannot eliminate malpractice if stakeholders remain indifferent or complicit. VTU’s leadership has emphasised that the app must be accompanied by awareness, ethical reinforcement, and institutional accountability. If these elements align, the initiative could redefine how co-curricular learning is valued and validated, marking a significant step towards integrity-driven academic governance.
Activity points were introduced by VTU to encourage holistic development among engineering students, covering participation in sports, cultural events, social service, innovation activities, and technical competitions. However, over the years, the system has come under strain due to uneven implementation across colleges. The absence of a uniform verification mechanism allowed scope for manipulation, with some students allegedly submitting false certificates or inflating participation records to meet graduation requirements. The proposed app is expected to address these gaps by standardising data entry and validation across all affiliated institutions.
According to senior VTU officials, the application will allow students to upload details of activities they participate in, while colleges and authorised coordinators will verify and approve submissions in real time. Each activity will be tagged to specific criteria laid down by the university, ensuring that only eligible programmes earn points. The app will also generate a digital audit trail, making it easier for the university to identify discrepancies and take corrective action where necessary.
DIGITAL OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY
The university administration has emphasised that the app is not merely a technological upgrade but a governance reform. By introducing a digital tracking system, VTU aims to eliminate subjectivity in awarding activity points. Officials noted that earlier, verification depended heavily on individual faculty members or college committees, leading to inconsistencies and allegations of favouritism. The app will create a common framework that applies uniformly to all students, regardless of the college they study in.
Under the new system, event organisers such as sports bodies, cultural associations, and recognised clubs will also be required to register activities on the platform. This ensures that students can claim points only for events that are officially recognised by VTU. Each activity entry will carry metadata such as date, venue, duration, and supervising authority, reducing the possibility of backdated or fabricated submissions. University sources said this level of documentation would significantly strengthen the credibility of the activity point system.
The app is also expected to benefit colleges by reducing administrative workload. Faculty members currently spend considerable time verifying certificates, maintaining records, and responding to university queries. A centralised digital system will streamline these processes, allowing academic staff to focus more on teaching and mentoring. VTU officials believe that automation will also minimise clerical errors that often lead to disputes during final audits before degree issuance.
Students, meanwhile, have expressed cautious optimism about the move. Many acknowledge that while activity points were introduced with good intent, the lack of clarity often led to confusion. A digital dashboard that clearly displays accumulated points, pending approvals, and eligibility requirements could help students plan their participation more effectively. However, some students have raised concerns about accessibility and training, particularly for those from rural backgrounds or colleges with limited digital infrastructure.
RESTORING TRUST IN THE ACTIVITY POINT SYSTEM
VTU authorities have made it clear that the app’s launch is also a response to growing scrutiny from accreditation bodies and regulatory agencies. With increasing emphasis on outcome-based education and student development metrics, universities are under pressure to demonstrate the integrity of their assessment systems. Any perception of widespread fraud could undermine institutional credibility. By proactively introducing a transparent tracking mechanism, VTU hopes to reinforce confidence among stakeholders, including employers, regulators, and students themselves.
The university has indicated that the app will include safeguards against misuse, such as role-based access controls and periodic audits. Only authorised personnel will be able to approve or modify activity records, and any changes will be logged. In cases where fraudulent submissions are detected, disciplinary action may be initiated against students and, if necessary, college officials. VTU officials stressed that the intent is corrective rather than punitive, but accountability will be non-negotiable.
Implementation will be phased, with pilot testing planned in select colleges before a full-scale rollout. Feedback from students and faculty during the pilot phase will be used to refine features and address technical issues. The university is also planning orientation sessions and user manuals to ensure smooth adoption. Officials acknowledged that resistance to change is natural but insisted that digital transformation is essential to safeguard the system’s integrity.
Education experts have welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention. They argue that co-curricular credits are increasingly important in shaping well-rounded graduates, but their value diminishes if assessment mechanisms lack credibility. A transparent, verifiable system not only deters fraud but also reinforces the idea that participation, not paperwork, is what truly counts. Experts caution, however, that technology must be complemented by clear policy guidelines and consistent enforcement.
As VTU prepares to launch the app, the move is being seen as part of a broader shift towards digital governance in higher education. If implemented effectively, it could serve as a model for other universities grappling with similar challenges. For students, the app represents both a safeguard and a responsibility, ensuring that activity points reflect genuine engagement. For the university, it is an attempt to restore trust in a system meant to reward learning beyond the classroom, reinforcing the principle that integrity is as important as innovation in academic life.
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