Ranchi: A mobile app for an alumni association may not be very common but the old boys of St Xavier’s School, Doranda in Ranchi, are going to introduce the same.
Doranda Old Xaverians, or DOX as they are popularly known, will launch the mobile app, DOX Connect, for its members whose numbers are growing every year and are scattered across the globe.
“We do have a website, but an app is handier to connect with our members,” said DOX chairperson Vishal Jain, 41, at an event to introduce the concept of the app and give a demo on its functioning on school premises on June 17 evening. “Everyone has a smartphone these days, so we want to leverage its power to network.”
Developed by Aadrika Technology Consultants, the app can be downloaded only by DOX members. Jain said it would help them prepare a proper membership database. When a person registers for DOX Connect, he will submit personal information, which will prove useful. “And no, we don’t mean useful for socializing or promoting mutual business interests, but also for humanitarian and medical reasons,” Jain, who is from the 1993 batch and is now a businessman, said.
“For example, a registered member will be able to search an alumnus by his name, batch, location or profession and get details about him. We will also show their blood groups so that someone can be approached in case of an emergency,” he said.
He explained many other uses of an alumni app.
“Many among us are industrialists or businessmen who require competent employees. They may get references from others in the group. A member may want to shift jobs. Someone else can help him,” he said.
The app will help DOX as an organization too, Jain said. “It can act as a house magazine of sorts where we can post our news, upcoming events and accomplishments,” he said. “During events, it will help us know in advance how many members will attend it, their food habits and marital status.”
DOX get attractive offers like 10-12 per cent discount on purchases of products of some companies, which can also be shared on this platform for all members to avail the opportunity, he added.
So far, DOX has 2,500 members. But around 13,000 old Xaverians are eligible to become DOX members by virtue of their studying in the school for over two years at a stretch. “We want to reach out to as many members as possible,” Jain said.
(Source: Telegraph)