La Salle uses text messages
to send school data
By Erwin Lemuel G. Oliva
Inquirer.net

A LOCAL university has recently found a hip way of conveying information to its mobile-phone wielding students.

Riding on GSM mobile phone technology that allows Filipinos to send simple messages to each other, students at the De La Salle University Manila can now easily access any information about their school using their own GSM handsets.

Created by the University’s Wireless Information Services (DLSU WISe), students are now able to know, for example, if classes had been suspended by sending a "keyword" to a certain number. After a few seconds, any information requested is sent back to you.

Other information available include important University announcements, results of University entrance examinations, a list of available sections and number of enrolled students, specific information about a certain subject, schedule of final exams, news about the University, to name a few.

For the uninitiated, accessing information involves sending "keywords" to a certain number -- in this case, 2333 for Globe subscribers and 211 for Smart.

Let’s say you want to check the availability of subjects during enrolment (a powerful application because it saves time by abolishing the need to queue), begin typing in the keywords "DLSU SUBJ" like you we’re sending typical text messages to your friends.

The GSM mobile phone then prompts you to type in a number. Punch in (using your thumb) 2333 or 211, then wait. Below is what you’ll see on you mobile phone’s display.

Send: DLSU SUBJ BUSORGA (wait...)

Receive: BUSORGA C31 #44; C32 #44; A51 #41; As of 1421h 10/05/2000 *End of Query*

To get more specific information, you can include the subject code.

Send: DLSU SUBJ BUSORGA (subject code) C31

Receive: BUSORGA A51 #41; MWF 1030-1130h, Rm M415. As of 1414h 10/05/2000 *End of Query*

The University has also created a help desk through the service. Simply type "DLSU HELP" or "DLSU KEYWORD" to 2333 or 211.

Depending on which service provider you have subscribed to, the required information will be sent to you in a few seconds.

The University expects to offer more information on fees payment balance, Internet account password, student activities/events, sports game schedules and updates, and job postings from the Office of Career Services of the University. The University’s Information Technology Center is also looking at making this service available through other mobile phone service providers.

This service, by the way, costs students a minimal fee of P2 to P2.50 per message, similar to the cost of sending regular text messages.

For more information on the list of information available and the procedures of accessing, check out www.dlsu.edu.ph/offices/itc/wise.