By Divyesh B Chudasama
NHSF (UK) Webmaster, iOS App Developer, Designer
When I first joined the NHSF (UK) National Committee in 2013 it was an overwhelming experience. Being able to see the background works, the amount of work that goes into each event and the running of the organization by every individual involved was truly moving. My growing passion led me to joining the National Committee as a Designer; my experience on chapter level was truly fruitful and hence this seemed the most logical step to take next.
As part of my endeavours, I have always aimed to take NHSF to a level beyond where it has already reached, this portrayed clearly both through my fulfilling of three roles whilst on chapter committee at Loughborough: Webmaster, Learning coordinator and Sewa coordinator, and creating NHSF Loughborough’s very own, first official website.
But you know when you have this eagerness – this huge push to actually do something game changing, never done before – this was the exact feeling that was growing within me. All I was waiting for was an opportunity; this came to me in the form of my MSc Dissertation, where I pounced on the opportunity to put forth my own programming project – the NHSF app!
The National Committee was immensely supportive of this project as it had been in the pipeline for some years, but we were missing the resources to develop it. But not anymore: I was made head of thisvery exciting new project and I put together a team of 6 people (including myself), two admin members, a designer, sewa coordinator and learning coordinator. There were a lot of ups and downs, sleepless nights, endless proof reading, and a long 9 months (which seemed like eternity) and here it was. From the initial storyboard, screen by screen breakdown, to design, building (coding) and months of testing; the NHSF App was a reality. We had a fully functioning real-time app from a prototype.
I truly feel honoured to be the developer of the NHSF App, and am truly touched to be able to use my Software Engineering skills to push the work of NHSF to a global level, not only the samaj. We had our online presence through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and our website, so this seemed the way forward. But, this would not at all have been possible without the help of the awesome team that stood next to me day and night to support me through the entire project phase. It is a superb medium to stay in touch with all chapters and the organization, not only for members and affiliated
chapters, but also for alumni and graduates; enhancing their NHSF experience right from the tip of their fingers.
To very quickly summarise, the app consists of 5 sections: About Us, Campus, Events, Learning and Sewa. Key features include: In-app email, Campus Breakdown, Satellite Navigation, In-App Sewa YouTube Channel and Push Notifications. Currently only available iOS, the Android version will soon be releasing, as this is the next project in the pipeline this coming year. To get full information on the app don’t forget to download: go onto the App Store, search ‘NHSF’ and hit DOWNLOAD! Do it today!
Pranaam!