When I first joined the computer science department at AWKUM in 2019, I quickly noticed a gap: the absence of online systems like Learning Management Systems (LMS) that are commonplace in many universities. Inspired to make a difference, I took the initiative to develop an LMS tailored for my studetns at AWKUM. In just three weeks, it was operational. This was my maiden venture into creating an online platform for students who I was teaching to, aiming to enhance their academic experience. So, for the first time in Fall 2019 semester, the students in AWKUM experienced online learning management system.

My version of LMS introduced several features that are still missing in the existing LMS at AWKUM. It allowed students to login first and view their marks, receive notifications, and engage in online quizzes and assignments. Additionally, it provided a platform for students to pose questions directly to me. When the pandemic struck (COVID-19) and educational institutions, including AWKUM, were forced to shut down, my LMS proved invaluable. It enabled me to keep my students engaged with class projects while the university was in the process of setting up its own LMS. From 2019 to 2022, a majority of my students preferred using my LMS, primarily because it offered functionalities that the university's system lacked.

My journey didn't stop there. In 2021, when I took on the role of the FYPs coordinator, I envisioned an online management system for FYPs. In my first year as coordinator, AWKUM students submitted their FYP proposals digitally for the very first time, thanks to the emerging system I was developing. The following year brought a positive change. The CS department chairman, Dr. Nadeem Iqbal, appreciated my efforts and expressed his desire to transition completely to online system, moving away from traditional paper-based methods. This marked the beginning of a transformative journey for the FYP management system at the department of Computer Science at AWKUM, and so I continue to inovate.

The FYPs Management System is a dedicated platform designed to streamline and organize the process of managing Final Year Projects (FYPs) for the computer science students at Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan (AWKUM). Recognizing the significance of FYPs in a student's academic journey, this web app aims to provide a seamless experience for both students and faculty members (supervisors).

With the increasing number of students enrolling in the BCS, BSAI and BSSW programs at AWKUM, there was a pressing need for a centralized system to manage the various aspects of FYPs. From proposal submissions, monthly assessments, progress tracking, to final internal and external assessments, the FYPs Management System covers it all. This not only ensures that students receive the necessary guidance through a dedicated page for FAQs, but also allows faculty members to efficiently oversee multiple projects. By digitizing the FYP management process, the Computer Science Department at AWKUM is setting a precedence for academic excellence, innovation and modernization.

Beginning as a simple solution to a noticeable gap in inovating the FYPs, the FYPs management system I developed underwent significant transformations over the past 2-3 years. Each iteration was a response to the evolving needs of the students and the changing educational landscape. From its initial launch in 2021 to its current state, the app has grown not only in features but also in its impact, setting a new standard for FYPs at AWKUM.

Version 1.0 of the FYPs management system, launched in 2021, incorporated a basic form, develop with HTML, CSS, JavaScript and Bootstrap, which allowed students to submit their proposals. However, subsequent steps in the FYP process remained traditional, relying on paper-based submissions and assessment forms, as they had in the past.

In 2022, the FYPs management system evolved to Version 2.0, transitioning entirely to a digital platform - phasing out the traditional manual and paper-based methods. Building on insights from my inaugural year as coordinator, where I discerned that monthly reports were often last-minute formalities, the new version ushered in a wave of innovation. I rolled out online proposal submissions, monthly evaluations, and internal and external assessments, developed with the cutting-edge Angular frontend and powered by the robust Google Cloud backend. Moreover, to emphasize the significance of these enhancements, I introduced a dynamic grading system, setting a new benchmark in academic management of the CS department. Supervisors were given exclusive access codes for their groups, ensuring that students engaged with them directly for submissions. Upon report submission, an automated system generated PDF copy of the meeting, emailing it to both the students and the supervisor, while archiving another for official records. This innovative approach not only streamlined the process but also boosted students' dedication to their FYPs, leading to more frequent and meaningful interactions with their supervisors. For the first time in 2022, the entire FYP session wrapped up promptly before the summer break in June, a significant improvement from the traditional system that often would stretched into October or November.

In 2023, Version 3.0 revolutionized the FYPs management system, ushering in transformative changes to both the platform and the FYP process. To begin with, we've set foundational prerequisites for students to be deemed eligible. With the vision and guidance of the department chairman, Dr. Nadeem Iqbal, who is also the HEC's focal person for the DLSEI initiative at AWKUM, it's now mendatory for students to either complete a minimum of 8 certificates from Coursera via the DLSEI program or undertake an internship. This ensures students are equipped with the requisite knowledge to execute their projects and write-up their theses. Furthermore, I've reimagined the FYP experience, and proudly present a comprehensive website that acts as the central hub for all FYP-related activities. From proposal submissions to evaluations and the final thesis handover, everything is seamlessly digital. Plus, the dedicated FAQs section demystifies the FYPs-2024 journey, addressing all potential queries students might have in their mind. With this update, students, supervisors, and coordinator each have personalized account access, ensuring they can easily tap into resources tailored for them. Developed with cutting-edge technology, the platform harnesses the prowess of both MEAN and MERN stacks, further enhanced by the robust capabilities of Google and AWS cloud services.