Page 22 - CAO Annual Report 2023-24

CENTRAL APPLICATIONS OFFICE
GEORGE VAN DER ROSS
CEO - Central Applications Office
Chief Executive Officer’s Report
The rapid and constant enhancement of our ICT system and processes since 2012 was focused on keeping pace with the increased speed at which technology was advancing. This was easier said than done as staff had become accustomed to performing their tasks in a particular way and were quite successful at it. Then, along comes someone they perceive as disrupting their lives with all kinds of new concepts, processes, and innovations. This was initially met with reluctance in some quarters and in other instances even with a form of passive resistance. But, as staff gradually experienced the benefits derived from these advances, they were won over and some became active proponents. In time staff took ownership of and became used to the frequent changes that occurred as the organization kept up with the transformations in the business environment.
In 2018 we took a leap of faith and changed to the large-scale introduction of digitization. By then staff had become more agile and confident with handling the changes. This process was helped
by the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence (AI) programmes. Cloud technology helped tap the new technologies.
Since then, despite the COVID pandemic, our applicant numbers, involvement in direct school activities, joint ventures with private companies, the Central Applications Service (CAS) and the Central Applications Clearing House (CACH) projects have been taken on board. By 2024 we were well versed and prepared for the ongoing variations in the CAO working environment.
The CAO was, therefore, well prepared for the 2024 academic year entry cycle that covered the period from 01 March 2023 through 29 February 2024. Amongst others, during the 2024 entry cycle institutional users experience was enhanced by adding four new functionalities to the website. Firstly, an ‘Update my Details’ functionality allowing applicants to update their personal details online resulting in the updated details being immediately available to institutions. Secondly, a payment portal was introduced allowing applicants to pay online using their debit
20 ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024