As part of the modernization of public administration, the Directorate of Scholarships and University Aid (DBAU) has launched a digital platform to simplify and optimize the procedures for applying for university study grants. This initiative, resulting from a collaboration between the DBAU, the competent technical departments of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), and banking institutions, aims to accelerate payments, which previously could extend over an entire academic year.
Bergedor HADJIHOU
The courtyard of the Directorate of Scholarships and University Aid (DBAU) was calm on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, two months after the launch of the online application process for the 2024-2025 academic year. A scene that contrasts with the past.
« Last week, I was accompanied by my older brother, a former student of UAC, for a claim at the DBAU. He was surprised by the organization. Before, the lists of scholarship recipients were posted on the walls, and everyone jostled to check their file. Sometimes, names were torn in the confusion. Today, everything is done online; it’s a different era, » testifies Solange Guendehou, a second-year geography student.
Thanks to the platform accessible via bourses.enseignementsuperieur.bj, students can track the progress of their applications. The displayed statuses allow them to know precisely the advancement of their file transparently. « In process » means that the application is being prepared for review. « Favorable » indicates that the application is validated, with a reference number for transmitting the payment status to the Ministry of Economy and Finance. « Reserved » signals that additional information is required. The status « Unfavorable » means that the application does not meet the eligibility criteria.
« The other system was quite cumbersome. You could spend an entire day in line without being served. Today, everything is more practical. There’s no need to skip classes to submit a file, » testifies Firmin G, a student at the University of Abomey-Calavi.
Before digitalization, the National Commission for Scholarships and University Aid (CNaBAU) processed about 1,000 files per session. Today, it processes an average of over 5,000. Moreover, the time for students to receive their allocations has decreased from 8 months to 1 month, said Martin Ogoussan, Director of Scholarships and University Aid, to the media in the first half of 2024, as part of the assessment of the Government Action Program of Benin.
Persistent challenges despite progress
Despite the progress, technical problems persist in the digitalization of the allocation or renewal of university grants. On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at the University of Abomey-Calavi, about ten students were lined up in front of the Circle of Students for Culture, Arts, and Leisure (CECAL). Usually reserved for musical and artistic emulation, this place was transformed by the National Union of School and University Students of Benin (UNSEB) into a temporary help center where students facing difficulties with the platform seek assistance.
Aubède Medeto, a first-year Environmental Engineering student at the Polytechnic School of the University of Abomey-Calavi (EPAC), recounts his difficulties while showing on his smartphone the list of excellence scholarship students in his school to support his statements:
« The platform tells me that I am not eligible, even though I was selected for an excellence scholarship. I validated my registration, but the problem persists. Several fellow students are in the same situation. »
Sèmlinko Constantin Ahossi is a computer engineer. He recently developed GCE App, a comprehensive enterprise management platform with several modules, including electronic management of mail and other administrative documents, human resources management, project management, etc.
« These anomalies may be related to programming errors. Detecting malfunctions is, however, normal in the initial phase of university allocations. The important thing is to quickly correct these errors to improve the service, » he explains.
