Abstract:
The software project undertaken had two components. The first was to design a new
website for the National Science and Technology Commission (NASTEC) and the second
was to develop a web based information system for improving the research grant award
scheme of the National Science Foundation (NSF).
The NASTEC website provides information to the general public on activities of the
organization and access to various science and technology policy related documents and
recommendations of the Commission. It was developed a year ago but because of lack of
qualified staff at NASTEC, has not been updated regularly. And the existing web site was
inadequate and lacks appearance and presentation.
The main purpose of the project was to update and design a new website to improve its
presentation. Therefore a new website was developed to overcome the drawbacks of the
existing web site of NASTEC.
One of the major functions of the National Science Foundation (NSF) is the awarding of
research grants to scientists in research and development institutions. The information
related to research grants was handled using a computer-based system. But it was
incomplete and does not provide adequate information to the grantee, since it was being
accessed and maintained by the scientific staff of the NSF. It would be desirable that the
grantee has access to information related to his/her own grant, including information
related to deadlines for progress reports, account balance etc. The present database holds
limited information and a more user friendly database would be desirable.
An information system was developed to meet all the requirements of research grants of
NSF. An authorized person holding a research grant of the NSF would be given access to
the system through the internet. He/she would be able to monitor the progress of the grant
which will include the scientific as well as financial progress.
