PROCESS AUTOMATION OF UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS USING EXPERT SYSTEM: A CASE STUDY OF IGBINEDION UNIVERSITY OKADA, EDO STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigates the design and implementation of an expert system for automating administrative operations at Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO). Nigeria. The research addresses persistent inefficiencies, delays, and inconsistencies associated with manual and semi-automated administrative processes, including student record validation, staff workload allocation, admission eligibility evaluation, and result verification. Employing a hybrid methodology that combines system analysis and development approaches, the study applied rule-based artificial intelligence principles to model institutional policies and procedures into a functional expert system prototype. The system, developed using Django (Python) and MySQL, integrates a knowledge base, inference engine, and user-friendly web interface with role-based authentication to ensure secure, consistent, and efficient decision-making. Empirical evaluation of the prototype demonstrated a 65% reduction in processing time, 92% decision accuracy, and 90% user satisfaction, confirming the system’s effectiveness in enhancing administrative performance. The study highlights practical implications for digital transformation, transparency, and data-driven governance in Nigerian universities, providing a scalable framework for future AI-driven administrative solutions in higher education.