JISC

The University is seeking to establish a simplified way of delivering, to its various audiences, key information which currently resides in at least three separate management information systems within the University. The key aim of this project is to facilitate a systemic change to the way in which data is collected, updated and maintained.  The project will establish the means to link the three sources of course and student information (Course Information database on the website, the programme specifications database and SITS (Student Administration data) to provide XCRI-CAP output.

The project will contribute to a number of the University’s strategic objectives. Improved marketing information will contribute to improved student recruitment. High quality, in-time published information will enhance the applicant and student experience, fulfil external quality assessment requirements and support public accountability. The project will also enable the University to streamline business processes, thereby contributing to our efficiency programme. The impact of these changes will be assessed as part of the internally defined Project Review process, which takes place three months after project completion. 

This work will deliver access via the website to information at course level for potential enquirers, current students and key stakeholders and provide the ability to interrogate data systems.

Objectives

This project aims to;

• Aggregate information from multiple sources with no re-keying
• Provide high-quality, in-time, durable course information to key audiences via the University website
• Improve supply of information to aggregator organisations such as UCAS
• Improve data quality by changing the way in which data is collected, updated and maintained.
• Rationalise the workflow for market authorisation, programme quality approval, course setup and publication of information.
• Implement common data standards

Anticipated Outputs and Outcomes

• Facilitate interoperability between the University systems to deliver course data
• Deliver organisational changes to implement key project objectives
• Use XCRI-CAP to organise and deliver a common interface which will allow the simultaneous input and update of key information
• Establish a permanent cross university ‘technical’ team to assess the IT development needs of the wider university
• Facilitate local content management training
• Publish a ‘systems update’ calendar for course information
• Through Academic Registry (Quality) team, link approval and validation information to identified data sets to ensure the tracking and audit of course information at an early stage