Product Management & UX | 2021 - 2022

Return to Classes

In response to the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, I led a critical initiative at the Universidad del Pacífico. This project marked my transition into a Product Manager role, where I spearheaded the integration of cutting-edge biometric technology for facial recognition and temperature screening. The goal was to develop a seamless, secure system within the university's main app, enabling a safe return to on-campus activities for thousands of students and staff.

Project Overview

MOBILE APP - UNIVERSIDAD DEL PACÍFICO

The pandemic forced a sudden global shift to online learning. As universities planned a return to campus, the primary challenge was ensuring the health and safety of the community while adhering to evolving government mandates. This project aimed to create a robust digital solution to manage campus access, building trust and confidence among students, families, and staff.

The Challenge

Vaccine Compliance

Access was reserved for fully vaccinated individuals, demanding reliable verification processes that didn't disrupt user flow.

Real-Time Temperature Monitoring

Seamless integration of thermal scanning was needed to quickly flag health risks upon entry while maintaining operational fluidity.

Health Declaration Validation

A responsive system was needed to verify daily health submissions and deny access when criteria weren’t met.

Scheduled Attendance Only

Campus entry was limited to students with confirmed classes, making it vital to cross-reference timetables with access controls.

Biometric access control terminal at the university entrance

The Research

Technology Vetting & Benchmarking

Our team conducted a benchmark of next-generation solutions to meet strict governmental requirements. We prioritised technology capable of measuring temperature, performing facial recognition via biometric identification, and securely linking this data with our user database to optimise controlled access.

Biometric technology

Quantitative Research

I analysed quantitative data on students' geographical locations and device types. With many students having returned to their home cities across Peru, this research was pivotal. It informed key process changes, enabling them to attend classes remotely without needing to relocate to the capital, thus ensuring continuity and accessibility.

Analytics-based visual reference from UPexperience's Google Analytics 4.

Qualitative User Interviews

I conducted direct interviews with students to understand their perceptions and fears. These insights revealed a profound anxiety about health risks balanced by a strong desire to return to a vibrant campus life. This user-centric approach was fundamental to designing an empathetic and effective solution.

A person being interviewed for user research

In-depth interviews

The Result: A Seamless Return

We engineered a comprehensive digital passport within the UPexperience app, prioritising an intuitive, efficient, and secure user journey for the entire campus community.

Secure Health Declarations: Implemented for reliable daily verification.
Effortless Class Reservations: Launched to manage on-site capacity with ease.
Automated Access Control: Deployed to ensure a fully automated, safe access.

WATCH THE MAIN FEATURES

The Final Product

Centralised Home Screen

The main dashboard provided quick access to health declarations, vaccination status, and the daily class schedule, centralising all essential actions for the user.

Class Booking

To ensure social distancing, students could view available slots for their classes and book their on-site attendance in advance, managing campus density effectively.

Secure Document Upload

A dedicated and secure interface for submitting vaccination proof, including options to take a photo or upload files, which streamlined the verification process.

The Digital Campus Pass

We implemented a secure digital ID system to manage campus entry during the return to in-person teaching. Access was conditional and granted daily via an automated verification process. Entry was approved only when the system confirmed the student had scheduled classes, proof of vaccination on file, and had submitted a health declaration clearing them of any COVID-19 symptoms.