JISC

JISC is pleased to announce that it has reached agreement with the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) on the LSC’s contribution to the JISC budget. This agreement means certain changes to the level of JISC support for those institutions funded by the LSC.

Communications have been sent to all English FE colleges outlining precisely which services will be available to English FE. This Q&A is designed to give further details of some of the implications of the new funding framework.

Who is affected by this agreement?

The Learning and Skills Council has a remit to serve post-16 education in England. This means that this affects only English post-16 education, and not equivalent sectors in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, whose contributions to the JISC budget have remained unchanged.

Why is this agreement important?

In June last year funding reductions to the JISC budget by the LSC entailed a consolidation of the services JISC offered to the English post-16 sector. The new funding framework establishes a new level of support for English FE.

What will now be available to the English FE sector?

The following will be available to the English FE sector, including Specialist Colleges:

• JANET connections
• support from the Regional Support Centres (RSCs)
• membership of the UK Access Management Federation
• all JISC’s advisory services
• delivery services at national data centres (EDINA and MIMAS)
• access to all current content under existing licensing agreements
• membership of the new JISC Collections content company

What has changed since last academic year (2005-06)?

Since last year’s funding statement, detailed plans have been laid for the transition of UK education and research to federated access management based on Shibboleth technology. The new funding framework means that English FE colleges are being invited to join the UK Access Management Federation which will be formally launched in early 2007 and which will enable FE colleges to implement new technologies allowing users to access a range of resources from their single, institutional login ID and password. In addition, federated access management supports more complex and dynamic collaborations in e-learning, simultaneous access to internal and external e-resources and compliance with international standards. See further details of these activities.

In addition, last year’s funding framework covered only those licensing agreements for online content made before June 2005 and did not allow for any new agreements made after this time. From August 2006 JISC’s e-resources activities will be undertaken through a limited company, called ‘JISC Collections’. The new level of LSC funding will re-establish collections development activities as part of the services JISC offers to the English post-16 sector and will moreover allow colleges to become members of the JISC Collections company at no extra cost, be represented on its Board and to play a full part, once again, in ensuring that the FE community is able to access the resources it needs. Communications are being sent to all colleges informing them of these changes and the actions required. See further details.

Is the funding agreement just for the next academic year (2006-07)?

No, this funding framework will be in place for the next three years (1st September 2006- 31st August 2009).

How can I find out more about the available services?

A brochure giving further details of the available services has been sent to all English colleges. If you would like further copies of the brochure, please contact: publications@jisc.ac.uk

Is the LSC now a full funding partner of JISC?

No – the LSC will purchase an agreed set of services from JISC and will continue as a member of the JISC Steering Group. The LSC will have observer status on the JISC Board, the JISC Committee for Networking and the JISC Committee for Organisational Support. The LSC will also nominate two members onto the JISC Board.

What about FE representation on JISC committees?

Members of the FE community are encouraged to nominate themselves to be considered as members of the following JISC sub-committees, which are of most interest to the LSC funded community:

• the JISC Committee for Networking,
• the JISC Committee for Organisational Support,
• the JISC Committee for Content Services and
• the JISC Committee for Learning and Teaching.

See further information about self-nomination .

What will not be available to English FE?

The opportunity to apply for funding for development projects will not be available to the English FE sector, as the LSC is no longer providing funding to the JISC’s development programme areas. However, there are a significant number of colleges which receive HEFCE funding and will therefore be able to bid, providing they have 400 or more HE funded learners within their institutions. 

If my college doesn’t have 400 or more HE funded learners, can my college be part of a consortium bid with perhaps a higher education institution as the lead partner?

Yes, bidding will be possible if your college is part of such a consortium bid.

JISC’s development projects produce a range of 'outputs', such as reports, case studies, web resources, exemplars, guides to good practice, and much else. Will my college still have access to these?

The outputs of JISC’s research and development projects will continue to be freely available to the post-16 education sector through the JISC website.

What about access to JISC’s services by Adult and Community Learning (ACL) providers?

The Regional Support Centres will continue to receive funding to deliver services to ACL, through an appointed adviser. JISC and the LSC are still in discussion about provision of other services to the ACL provider network.

What about access to JISC Services by Work-based Learning (WBL) providers?

JISC and the LSC are currently in discussion regarding the WBL Provider Network but it is hoped that Regional Support Centres will soon be funded to deliver services through an appointed advisor.