DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A WEB BASED TIMETABLE SYSTEM FOR CUMPUTER SCIENCE DEPARTMENT (UNIZIK)

ABSTRACT
This paper examines the web based timetable, a case of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. Lecture timetabling is a very important process in any educational institution. It is an open-ended program in which courses must be arranged around a set of time slot ‘T’ and remains so that some constraints are satisfied. It constitutes a class of difficult-to-solve optimization problems that lacks analytical solution method. Data gathering on the current system was analyzed to create a requirement definition for the improved timetable system. Literature review was carried out to research the best approach that can help to solve the program in the timetable system. Genetic Algorithm has been implemented in the Timetable management system. This is because Genetic Algorithm is able to produce a feasible timetable system. Java, XML, and PHP programming languages were used in developing the solution. MySQL database was used as the back-end for the solution. The front-end solution will be implemented in an android mobile operating system for easier accessibility and proximity to users.

Background of the Study
Nnamdi Azikiwe University came into being as an offshoot of the defunct Anambra State University of Technology (ASUTECH). ASUTECH which was established through Law No. 7 of 30th July 1980 by the Government of the old Anambra operated as a multi-campus university, with campuses in Abakaliki, Enugu, Awka and Nnewi.In 1991, following the split of the old Anambra State into Anambra and Enugu States, the Awka and Nnewi campuses of the former ASUTECH were constituted into NnamdiAzikiwe University by the Anambra State Edict No.5 of November 26 1991. NnamdiAzikiwe University was taken over by the Federal Government by Decree No. 34 of July 15, 1992.NnamdiAzikiwe University’s current method of Timetable is not internet based which increases the stress on the part of the student who has to keep moving from one office to another. The forms that the students would be given has to be signed by the following departments of the school: The Student’s Academic Department (Dean’s office), University Librarian, Head of Department, Faculty, Bursary, Student’s Affairs, Health Centre and Registry (Exams and Records).Due to the various offices/department a student has to go to, the need for a web based Timetable system for students is inevitable to save time and the cost of transportation from one location to another.

The academic environment has gone so complex that an automated system may be required to automate certain aspects of the academic system. One such area of difficulty is timetable scheduling; those saddled with the responsibility of time table creation are always faced with challenges of creating effective system that will deliver its purpose.Automation has been seen as a way of enhancing Manual activities. For instance, Manual operations are characterized with some setbacks such as erroneous computation etc. with automation, those setbacks are either eliminated or reduced to barest minimal. To this effect application are being created to hide the manual operations and project automation.

The general task of solving timetable scheduling problems is iterative and time consuming. In real world application, the participants to the timetable scheduling have conflicting preferences which make the search for an optimal solution a problem. In order to solve the problems it is necessary to find a compromise between all the parties involved in the requirement, usually conflicting (e.g. day, time). The constraints are related to the availability, timetabling and preference of each of the instructor, to rooms availability, number of student and curricula. In order to solve this problem for the particular case of university system, timetable scheduling has to adopt the computer-base approach. Computer-base approach enables the institution to automate certain manual task and work efficiently. Also, in the particular case of timetable scheduling, the automated system could find an optimal or a sub-optimal solution using mainly inter¬¬¬agentcommunication.