Unify
Creating a high degree of connection for students, by students
Authors
Cameron Choi - University of Sydney
Andrew Chung - Northwestern University
Business Document
Video
The Problem
Tertiary education serves as an iconic coming of age experience for students to obtain a degree and to make connections with a diverse range of people. However, the student experience has been hampered by COVID-19 restrictions following the cancellation of in-person classes, lectures and university events. Students cannot rely on their support network of friends and are prematurely immersed in an online learning environment consisting of basic resources (online lectures and tutorials). A lack of interaction with peers, professors and tutors exacerbates the once tight-knit university community. With 76% of students surveyed finding online learning ineffective, such a disruptive educational landscape can demotivate and lead to loneliness and depression, making learning significantly more difficult without a medium for student discussion (Degree of Connection USYD survey, July 19 2020). This issue is prevalent for all students, especially first years and newly transferred students.
Unify's Solution
Unify is a socialising application that allows students to match and chat with new peers based on their degree, subject code, and interests. It takes inspiration from dating apps but removes the features of swiping and profiling based on appearance. Using an algorithm and IBM Watson Personality Insights, Unify automatically matches like-minded students together and allows them to organically build the rapport that is absent in the current online learning environment.
For the user it is as simple as hitting the ‘Unify’ button in the home screen to match with other like-minded students who are requesting or have requested for a match. Then, once a match is made, the student can tap on the person’s profile and begin chatting and making new friends.
Key Features
Verification and sign up process - students can input their email address to sign up or use social login provided by Auth0. Autocomplete inputs also allow for an easy sign up process.
Matching options - the application can match students to each other according to degree, subjects and interests
Profile - Students are given the opportunity to display their customisable avatar, university, degree, units, interests. Each profile is only visible to matched users
Automatic Matching Function - students can request for a new match anytime with others who are searching.
Chat box - Once the process of matching is complete, students are notified and can access all active chats and begin chatting with matched users
Report Function - Users are able to report other users for inappropriate behaviour through the report function
Technology Stack
Front-end:
- React-native
- Expo
Backend:
- Auth0
- Node js
- Express
- Firebase Firestore
- Firebase Functions
- IBM Watson Personality Insights
How to use
Prerequisites
- Android Phone or Android Emulator
Steps
- Download the provided .apk file onto the phone or emulator
User Sign-up details
If you wish to test the sign up feature please choose between these options pre-set in the database
University Name
- University of Sydney
- University of Macquarie
- University of New South Wales
- University of Technology Sydney
Degree Name
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Engineering
Subject Codes
For University of Sydney
- BUSS1000
- BUSS1020
- BUSS1030
- BUSS1040
- BUSS2000
- FINC2011
- FINC2012
User Sign-in details
If you wish to test the sign in feature without signing up you can use the following login details
Email: unifyteam@email.com
Password: 123456