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// case study · 01

ZCAS Student Information Systems

One shared platform serving two institutions, ZCAS and ZCAS University, with a common core and instance-specific features for each.

Software Developer·2021 – present·sis.zcas.edu.zm ↗esis.zcasu.edu.zm ↗
Overview

ZCAS and ZCAS University run on a shared student information platform that manages the full student lifecycle: application, admission, registration, payments, and campus access.

The two institutions are separate, each with its own students, staff, and academic structure, but ZCAS operates as the central system for workflows shared across both. I joined during my 2021 internship and continued as a full-time developer, building features that run across both systems while also delivering institution-specific tools. Working this way meant designing for a shared core without breaking the differences each institution depends on.

Screenshots
ZCAS Student Information System login
ZCAS · sis.zcas.edu.zm
ZCAS University Student Information System login
ZCAS University · esis.zcasu.edu.zm
Shared across both systemscore workflows
01
Online application
End-to-end applicant portal for prospective students to apply for programmes online.
02
Automated acceptance letters
Acceptance letters issued automatically on admission, removing manual paperwork.
03
Course registration workflows
Semester registration and module enrolment flows for students and staff.
04
Online payments
Integrated online fee payments tied to student accounts.
05
Automated invoicing
Invoices generated automatically via integration with Microsoft 365 Business Central.
06
RFID ID card & library access
Mapped RFID tag UIDs to student numbers so ID cards log library entry and exit — maintaining access logs for security. Students scan in and out at the library.
Institution-specificZCAS
Accommodation booking & management

Built an online accommodation booking and management system for ZCAS-owned accommodation. Because the accommodation belongs to ZCAS but also houses ZCAS University students, the system is cross-instance: ZCASU students can book ZCAS accommodation directly from within the ZCASU system, without leaving their own portal. It manages the full booking lifecycle from availability through to allocation.

Stack
PHP
JavaScript
MySQL
REST APIs
HTML / CSS
Integrations
Microsoft 365 Business Central
RFID hardware · library access
Online payment gateway
Impact

The systems run the core academic and finance operations for both ZCAS and ZCAS University: every application, registration, payment, and campus access cycle. The shared features I built serve students and staff across both institutions.