Farnborough uses SMS service to recruit students

by Ben Bold, Brand Republic 14-Dec-05

LONDON - Farnborough College of Technology has introduced a text messaging CRM service to support and encourage potential students.

The organisation hired SMS specialist Cy-nap 18 months ago to implement web-based SMS system Edutxt.

The college used school visits to collect students' mobile numbers and details of courses they were, or were considering, enrolling on.

Farnborough then used this data to send messages to pupils. These could include anything from information on open days and good luck wishes for exams to offers of support once students had received their results.

Jose Harrap, Farnborough College manager of student services, said: "Text messaging is the most cost-effective way of contacting students -- much cheaper than a telephone call or letter -- and we are using a format they understand and feel relaxed about."

There are plans to extend the service to Farnborough's 13,000 full and part-time students, including using the technology to help counsellors contact students in need of help.

"It's the best way of reaching a lot of people quickly and I am sure other colleges would find it worthwhile too," Harrap added.

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