JISC

When Wednesday 17 March 2010
Where University of Leicester

With UCAS, MIAP is embarking on a HEFCE-JISC funded Pilot in Higher Education which will result in a series of sector-specific case studies. This first consutlation event discussed the benefits and opportunities of implementing MIAP's lifelong Unique Learner Number (ULN) and the Personal Learning Record (PLR) across the HE sector. Speakers included Mary Curnock Cook (Chief Executive of UCAS), Alison Allden (Chief Executive of HESA) and Professor Sir Robert Burgess (Chair of the UCAS Board and VC of the University of Leicester). Two pilot HEIs; UWE and University of Keele presented their views and experiences to date.

UCAS-MIAP consultation event

On 17 March 2010 over 80 delegates from 45 HEIs attended a UCAS-MIAP Consultation Event for the Higher Education sector which was organised by JISC and held at the University of Leicester. Other sector organisations were also represented there, including MIAP, UCAS, HESA, HEFCE, JISC, Graduate Prospects, SPA, UCISA and ALT.

At the event we consulted on the opportunities and benefits of implementing MIAP's services - the lifelong Unique Learner Number (ULN) and the Personal Learning Record (PLR) - across the Higher Education sector.

The event was opened by Professor Sir Robert Burgess (VC of the University of Leicester) who welcomed delegates to the University and gave a Keynote address.

The morning session - chaired by Mary Curnock Cook, Chief Executive of UCAS - largely centred on the HEFCE-JISC funded MIAP pilot work which is underway with UCAS, followed by an update on the MIAP service, and a round table discussion.

In the afternoon session - chaired by Alison Allden, Chief Executive of HESA - we looked at some of the individual studies being undertaken by HESA and HEIs as part of the pilot activities, which will result in a series of sector-specific case studies designed to explore the potential benefits and issues.

Some of the HEIs participating in the pilot also presented their views and experiences to date.

Delegates broadly agreed that adoption of the ULN and Personal Learning Record by the HE sector offers some potential benefits for HEIs, students, sector agencies and employers, many of which will be explored in more detail during the Pilot phase. There was a lively discussion around the MIAP services. The feedback is summarised below.

Data

• MIAP was asked to explain how access to the PLR was managed, as well as data security, quality and duplicate ULNs. 
• 'Real time ' award data is important to ensuring the timeliness of the data held in the PLR. 
• HEIs need to be assured about the authenticity and integrity of data. 
• There would be a loss of important benefits to HEIs if learners withhold consent to share qualifications data with learning providers. This also occurs in the FE and schools sectors. Learning providers (including HEIs) need to work with their learners to encourage them to be open about their prior achievements. 
• The PLR will reduce the burden of verification of awards by institutions. 
• Questions were raised about ownership and management of the data over a significant timeframe. 
• Major benefits in potentially improved data accuracy and reporting.

Facilitating Data Sharing 

• Less data entry by students and institutions. 
• Supports 'paperless' processes. 
• Sharing data with colleges and other partner organisations is appropriate to collaborative provision.

Inclusion of HEI Achievement Data

• Some scepticism about HEIs sharing degree data at present. 
• Should be joined up with HESA returns. 
• Implications for the Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) to be identified.

ULN registration 

• Should UCAS register learners that have no ULN? 
• How will mature students, part-time students, international students - that don't come through UCAS Apply - be allocated ULNs?

Joining up with other stakeholders 

• Importance of working with the UK Border Agency, Student Loans Company, Scotland and NARIC linking to European Qualifications Framework. 
• All MIS vendors to the HE sector must be 'on board'. 
• How does this link to HESA? 
• Student and employer engagement.

The student experience

• Access to qualifications data held about them. 
• Less manual data entry.

Student tracking

• Widening participation. 
• Ability to monitor and evidence progression.

Implications of Business Process changes for HEIs around

• ID verification. 
• Fair Processing / Privacy Notices. 
• Practicalities of implementation.

Other

• Potential benefit in more easily identifying students with ELQs (Equivalent Level Qualifications). 
• Mixed views about value of access to verified GCSE (level 2) award data. 
• Concerns about current financial pressures and costs of implementation and MIAP possibly charging in the future (although there are no plans to do so).

Who attended

The topics under discussion were of interest to those concerned with the management and administration of student data in UK HE. This included:

• Academic Registrars and their staff
• Student Records Officers
• Admissions Managers
• MIS Managers
• Managers of Student Planning
• Widening Participation Managers

Agenda

Next UCAS-MIAP consultation event

A second follow on consultation event is scheduled for 24 Novemeber 2010. Online registration will open on 5 July 2010. If you would like to receive an invitaiton, please request to be added to JISCMAIL and look for the MIAPPILOTS List.

The purpose of this event will be to present the Pilot Case Studies and discuss MIAP HEAG recommendations for future work.

Questions about the event?

Contact the JISC Programme Manager Ruth Drysdale