Diversifying Student Communication: New Age Engagement Platforms

In our continuous effort to improve student engagement and support, we have implemented several strategies to diversify our communication channels. This year, we’ve introduced new tools and approaches that have significantly enhanced our interaction with students.

One of our key initiatives has been the use of WhatsApp for disseminating information. By creating a WhatsApp community, we have streamlined the process of sharing important updates, event invitations, and reminders. This platform allows us to reach students quickly and efficiently, ensuring that they stay informed about all relevant matters.

In addition to WhatsApp, we have also introduced phone calls as a vital component of our communication strategy. These calls serve dual purposes: outgoing calls are used to remind students about important deadlines and events, while incoming calls allow us to address a wide range of queries regarding the admission process, fee payments, and other concerns. This two-way communication has proven to be incredibly effective in providing timely support and resolving issues promptly.

A crucial aspect of our phone communication is the human approach we adopt during calls. We strive to understand the student’s individual context and needs, ensuring that our engagement is empathetic and supportive. This personalised touch helps in creating a reassuring environment, especially for students who may feel anxious or uncertain about certain processes. WhatsApp texts complement our phone calls by offering immediate support in urgent situations. This platform is particularly useful for providing quick answers and guidance, catering to students who require swift assistance.

Apart from our WhatsApp and call support, another notable form of engagement for our students is our private Instagram page. Since the content on the page is curated exclusively for students who join Ashoka’s undergraduate programme, we use the space to hear from students, share polls, answer Q&A, and run live campaigns. An interesting campaign from this year welcomed students to imagine themselves at Ashoka through artwork: inviting a plethora of visual submissions. These modes of engagement also allow students to present themselves, share their art, and function as a means of introducing themselves to the cohort.

Our engagement through diverse platforms ensures accessibility, nurtures multiple interests and preferences, goes beyond mere reception of Admissions-related developments, and invites them as participants in crafting each space and ensuring the information we share best caters to their interests.