1.1 Introduction
Online pilgrims’ registration can be seen as the creation and use of an online registration form, electronic registration form, online registration process, online registration template or digital registration form completed by an individual, group or organization to apply to register for pilgrimage within a stipulated period of time (Metz, 2004). The pilgrimage takes place in several countries around the world. The pilgrimage includes the simultaneous movement of a huge crowd of pilgrims which leads to many challenges for the pilgrimage authorities to track, monitor, and manage the crowd to minimize the chance of overcrowding’s accidents.
The pilgrimage has become the epicentre of the mass migration of millions of Christians of various ethnic diversities. No other mass gathering can compare in scale or in regularity. The preparedness plans made before the pilgrimage season ensure the optimum provision of health services for pilgrims to Jerusalem, and have been set up to minimize disease transmission both during their stay in the country and upon their return home.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitation of the study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Over the years, there have been rapid growths in technology and its effects on human and their businesses. The advent of technology helps in the utilization of computerized systems in the management of human industry. Majority of modern business today is being significantly affected by computerization. Due to this, computers have become an essential factor in controlling, directing, maximizing results and thus enabled machines to take over many human tasks that are being carried out manually.
Pilgrimage is a phenomenon found within a myriad religions and spiritual traditions that are otherwise entirely distinct, being separated by history, geography, theology, and praxis. Yet an unproblematic definition of pilgrimage is difficult to agree on, and the related phenomena of religious pilgrimage, sacred journeys, secular pilgrimage, spiritual tourism, and tourism all have important common elements (Olsen and Timothy 2006: 3). Most of the pilgrimages are religious and often include a huge crowd of people; pilgrims are coming from different countries with different languages. It is a serious challenge when it comes to help a lost pilgrim or to treat a sick one (Mohandes, 2010).
According to Shah et al., (2015), in many places, pilgrimage is very important. A sizable number of people typically move simultaneously during the pilgrimage. The massive influx of pilgrims presents numerous difficulties for the holy area authorities in recognizing and following the pilgrims as well as organizing the crowd (Shah et al., 2015).
Mohandes (2010) articulated that, many pilgrims are brought to clinics for emergency treatment. Knowing the pilgrims’ medical records leads to more efficient treatment of patients. However, because of lacking medical documents and a common language, doctors cannot get basic medical information needed for more efficient treatment (Mohandes, 2010).
The challenges encountered that led to the execution of the research work is that the existing method of administration used by the board, data management for administrative purpose have been a very tasking job since everything has to be done on paper. As a matter of fact, data could be lost easily as their size increase. It is against the background that the developments of this software to provide and create an online pilgrim registration system through the development of a web based system that will in turn improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the department.
1.3 Statement of Problem
Investigation revealed that a lot of pilgrims are got lost during the pilgrimage. It is difficult to guide pilgrims because they are traveling from various nations, speaking different languages, and most of them do not have a document with their locations and phone numbers on it. This drawback is hard to solve since it is unknown if any of the dead pilgrims will be identified or claimed in the future (Mohandes, 2010). Specifically, the challenges encountered in the utilization of the existing system are stated as follows:
- Pilgrims undergo difficulties when registering and sometimes they spend days or weeks going to and fro before they complete their registration.
- The cabinet of storing pilgrims credentials is not be big enough to accommodate the numerous case files, which are increasing annually.
- The manual method of pilgrim’s registration, storage and retrieval of files could take a whole lot of time no matter how familiar the file jackets are to the staff.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of the study is to design and implement an Online Pilgrims Registration System. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows to develop an application software that will:
- Provide an easier and a more efficient way of managing administrative data;
- Backup database containing pilgrims’ files to avoid unforeseen disasters;
- Inform the general public on what is happening and current updates in the board;
- Allow the public to suggest any complain to the pilgrims’ management; and
- Enable qualified pilgrims register for pilgrimage using an internet accessible device.
1.5 Significance of Study
The implementation of the proposed system will make it easy for pilgrims do their registration, forward their complaint to the board online, as well as checking general notifications, regardless of whether they are on the ‘state’ or not. Also, the management of data for administrative purposes will be made easy no matter how large they may grow later.
Also, this research will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.6 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Design and Implementation of Online Pilgrims Registration System. This study will only cover Delta State Christian Pilgrims registration, and record keeping, basic administration of staff that will be able to access the system and sharing of pilgrims’ information over a network in the Pilgrims Management Board.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this research work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this institution to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
1.8 Definition of Terms
Registration:
This means to keep records received from the management for reference purposes.
Management:
It is the co-ordination of all the resources of an Organization through the process of planning, Organization, directing and controlling
Credentials:
It is a qualification, achievement, quality, or aspect of a person’s background, especially when used to indicate their suitability for something.
