Source: Freepik
After reporting on the pilot of “Submission of Final Theses” (DivA) in May last year, we can now announce that the application is now available to all RWTH students. After extensive testing and many improvements in the extended pilot phase, we can now ensure that everything runs smoothly at the end of the degree programme.
But Slowly: What Is It All About?
The ‘DivA’ is a local application in RWTHonline that the IT Center has developed in cooperation with the Central University Administration and the faculties to enable students to submit their theses digitally.
After registering their Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis, candidates are given access to the application and can start uploading documents. In addition to the actual thesis, the affidavit, if necessary the application for logo use and large additional files can be uploaded as zip folders. Students can upload their current version at any time up to the latest submission date. With a click on ‘Submit’, the finished work is then submitted to the Central Examination Office (ZPA) completely paperless.
The best thing about this is that you can always keep an eye on how much time you have left and the system ensures that you are reminded in good time when there are only a few days left until submission.
After submission and formal review by the Central Examination Office, the thesis is then released directly to the examiners so that they can begin the assessment. Of course, the DivA also sends emails to the examiners and supervisors so that they are also aware that new theses are available for examination. All steps before and after submission are always displayed transparently to all those involved, so that it is always clear where your thesis ‘currently stands’.
After the subsequent evaluation by the examiners, all submitted documents can be archived directly within DivA. The documents are then stored in the RWTH’s document management system until the archiving period of ten years has expired.
Another feature that was implemented during the pilot is the option for people at the chair who are not examiners themselves to view the DivA on their behalf. A function was established for this purpose at all decentralised teaching units. The examination boards now also have a comparable function.
New Updates
Thanks to all the positive feedback, we have made many small improvements to the pilot version and are pleased that you will all soon be able to benefit from the advantages:
- Lower costs for students
- Location-independent submission and viewing of work for students and examiners
- Possible time savings due to savings on postage, internal forwarding and paperwork
- Integrated archiving
- Transparent process, as everyone can see where the work is currently located
- Sustainability through reduced paper consumption
We are particularly pleased that with the DivA we are contributing to the RWTH’s sustainability strategy. You can find comprehensive instructions on how to use DivA in the internal wiki. Attention! The link is only available in the RWTH network.
We very much hope that you like the DivA!
Depending on the degree programme, the use of the application will be successively activated for all students.
If you have any questions about the organisation of the digital submission process, please contact the Central Examination Office directly. If you have any technical questions, the IT-ServiceDesk will of course be happy to help.
Responsible for the content of this article are Stefan Krieger and Arlinda Ujkani.
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