How do faculty members mark attendance on AMS Veltech?

The Academic Management System (AMS) at Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, accessible via ams.veltech.edu.in, is a robust digital platform designed to streamline academic and administrative tasks. One of its core functionalities is attendance tracking, which enables faculty members to efficiently record and manage student attendance for each class session.

This paperless, real-time system ensures transparency, as students and parents can instantly view attendance updates through their respective dashboards. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how faculty members mark attendance on the AMS Veltech portal, detailing the login process, navigation, attendance marking steps, best practices, and troubleshooting tips, based on information available from Vel Tech’s official resources and related guides.

Logging into the AMS Veltech Portal

To begin marking attendance, faculty members must first access the AMS Veltech portal. The login process is straightforward and requires official credentials provided by the university. Here are the steps:

Access the Portal: Open a web browser (Google Chrome or Firefox is recommended for optimal performance) and navigate to ams.veltech.edu.in. For the best experience, faculty should use a laptop or desktop, as some features may display better on larger screens, though the portal is mobile-responsive.
Enter Credentials:
- Username: Use the faculty ID (e.g., VTU12345) provided by Vel Tech University.
- Password: Enter the password set during the initial setup or the default password provided by the university (often the faculty’s date of birth in DDMMYYYY format for first-time logins). Faculty are prompted to change the default password upon first login for security.
Login: Click the “Login” button. If the credentials are correct, the faculty member will be redirected to their personalized dashboard. If login issues occur, faculty can use the “Forgot Password” link (if available) or contact the IT support team at coe@veltech.edu.in.

Tip: Faculty should ensure a stable internet connection and clear their browser cache if the page fails to load. It’s also recommended to keep login credentials confidential and log out after each session, especially on shared devices.

Navigating to the Attendance Section

Once logged in, faculty members are greeted with a user-friendly dashboard tailored to their role. The dashboard provides access to various academic tools, including attendance tracking, course management, and grade uploads. To mark attendance:

Locate the Attendance Tab: On the dashboard, find the “Attendance” section, which may be labeled as “Attendance Tracking,” “Class Attendance,” or similar, depending on the portal’s layout. This is typically found under the “Academics” or “Courses” menu.
Select the Course: Faculty will see a list of courses they are assigned to teach. Click on the relevant course code or name to access the attendance module for that specific class.
Choose the Session: Within the course, select the specific class session or date for which attendance needs to be recorded. The system organizes sessions by date and time, making it easy to locate the correct one.

Marking Attendance

The AMS Veltech portal offers a streamlined process for marking attendance, which can be done manually or integrated with biometric or RFID systems for automated tracking, depending on the university’s setup. The manual process, which is the most common, is described below:

View Student List: Once the session is selected, the portal displays a list of enrolled students for that course, typically with their names and VTU registration numbers.
Mark Attendance:
- For each student, faculty can mark their status as “Present,” “Absent,” or other categories (e.g., “Late” or “Excused”) if supported by the system.
- The interface often includes checkboxes, dropdown menus, or buttons for quick selection. Some setups allow faculty to mark all students as present by default and then adjust for absences, saving time for larger classes.
Save and Submit: After marking attendance for all students, click the “Save” or “Submit” button to record the data. The system updates in real-time, making the attendance instantly visible to students and parents via their dashboards.
Review and Edit: Faculty can review the submitted attendance for accuracy. If corrections are needed (e.g., a student was marked absent by mistake), the portal allows edits within a specified time frame, as determined by university policy.

Note: In cases where biometric or RFID systems are used, attendance may be automatically recorded when students scan their ID cards or fingerprints. Faculty can verify and finalize these records on the AMS portal.

Best Practices for Faculty

To ensure accurate and efficient attendance marking, faculty members should follow these best practices:

Mark Attendance Promptly: Record attendance immediately after or during each class session to avoid errors and ensure real-time updates for students.
Verify Student Details: Double-check student names and VTU numbers to prevent misidentification, especially in large classes.
Communicate with Students: If a student disputes their attendance record, use the portal’s messaging feature to clarify or resolve issues. Students can also raise queries directly through the portal.
Regularly Update Passwords: For security, update passwords periodically and avoid sharing credentials.
Check for System Updates: The AMS portal may receive updates, so faculty should stay informed about new features or changes through university communications or the IT support team.
Use the Mobile App: For convenience, faculty can download the AMS Veltech mobile app (available on Google Play Store or Apple App Store) to mark attendance on the go. The app supports the same functionalities as the web portal, including attendance tracking. Ensure the device meets the requirements (Android 5.0+ or iOS 12.0+).

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While the AMS Veltech portal is designed for ease of use, faculty may encounter occasional issues. Here are common problems and solutions:

Login Failures: If login credentials don’t work, verify the faculty ID and password for accuracy, paying attention to uppercase and lowercase letters. Use the “Forgot Password” option or contact IT support at support@veltech.edu.in.
Attendance Not Updating: If attendance updates don’t appear on student dashboards, try refreshing the page or checking back later. Persistent issues should be reported to the IT support team.
Browser Issues: If the portal doesn’t load correctly, clear the browser cache or try a different browser (e.g., switch from Safari to Chrome).
Mobile App Problems: Ensure the app is updated to the latest version. If features are unavailable, revert to the web portal for full functionality. Note that third-party apps (e.g., VELTECH App by Nishant Yadav) are not officially supported and may pose security risks.
Incorrect Attendance Records: If students report discrepancies, faculty can edit records within the allowed time frame or coordinate with the academic office for corrections.

Additional Resources

Vel Tech University provides several resources to assist faculty with the AMS portal:

Official Guides: Basic instructions for login and key tasks are available on ams.veltech.edu.in and veltech.edu.in.
IT and Faculty Support: The university’s IT support team (support@veltech.edu.in) and department coordinators offer personalized assistance for portal-related queries.
External Guides: Websites like amsveltech.com provide beginner-friendly guides for navigating the portal, though faculty should verify the credibility of non-official sources.
Mobile App: The official AMS Veltech mobile app enhances accessibility, allowing faculty to manage attendance and other tasks from their smartphones.

While comprehensive video tutorials may not be explicitly labeled on the university’s website, faculty can request training sessions or detailed walkthroughs from the IT department.

Conclusion

The AMS Veltech portal simplifies the attendance-marking process for faculty members at Vel Tech University, offering a seamless, real-time, and paperless solution. By logging in with their faculty ID, navigating to the attendance section, and marking student presence manually or via automated systems, faculty can efficiently manage classroom records. Adhering to best practices, such as prompt marking and regular password updates, ensures accuracy and security. For any issues, the university’s IT support and official resources provide ample assistance. By leveraging the AMS Veltech portal, faculty members contribute to a transparent and efficient academic ecosystem, benefiting students, parents, and the institution as a whole.