Australian Statement of Interest in the Groningen Declaration

Presentation toGroningen Declaration Annual Meeting

VenueCity/State

1 January 2007

Ms Ainslie Moore, Policy Director International, Universities AustraliaMr Neil Robinson, Academic Registrar, The University of Melbourne

Georgetown UniversityWashington D.C.

9 April 2014

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Overview

1. The Tertiary Education Landscape in Australia

2. Current Practice3. The Benefits of Participation4. The Potential for Australian Participation

in the Groningen Declaration5. Statement of Interest6. Next Steps

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The Tertiary Education Landscape in Australia• The Australian tertiary education sector is

comprised of 39 universities, spanning 6 states and 2 territories.

• Universities Australia is the peak body representing the university sector in the public interest, both nationally and internationally. Each of the Australian universities are represented by their Chief Executive Officer - the Vice-Chancellor.

• Applications for most undergraduate courses are processed through the tertiary admissions centre (TACs) in each state. Most graduate course applications are submitted directly to each institution. 

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Current Practice• A variety of different document verification and

certification practices are used across the sector, including a mix of electronic and manual processes.– E.g. Most Australian Universities appear to have a system whereby

students and former students can apply for academic transcripts online. However, the requests are then processed manually and sent to the applicant via mail.

• The TACs have permission to make enquiries and retrieve academic transcripts from universities through an Automated Results Transfer System (ARTS). QualSearch, the web-front end of ARTS, allows authorised employers, registered bodies, and occupational associations to check the qualifications and results of applicants who have granted the appropriate release.

• The Australian National University (ANU) has adopted technology that allows its students, graduates and third parties to view academic documents online using a secure service provided by Digitary®.

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The Benefits of ParticipationFor students:• Enhanced mobility (25% of students in Australia

come from overseas and many local students also travel for graduate study)

• Streamlined process• Quick and easy access to educational data• Secure data platformFor participating universities:• Cost savings and efficiency gains• The removal of time consuming and manual

administrative processes• Reduction in fraudulent certificates

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The Potential for Australian Participation the Groningen DeclarationSurvey of Institutions• In late 2013/early 2014, Australian universities were

surveyed to determine the readiness of the sector to form a national digital repository.

• The survey found that although practices across the sector varied widely, there was general agreement that a national digital repository would deliver value.

Digital Student Data Reference Group• A national reference group comprising Heads of Student

Administration has been set up to explore the viability of a national digital repository, key issues and challenges, and the best way to move forward to achieve participation in the Groningen Declaration.

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Statement of Interest“The Australian Heads of Student Administration

Digital Student Data Reference Group supports the work of the Groningen Declaration and wishes to participate in the global movement to enhance

student mobility. It is the Group’s ambition to sign the Declaration once it is confident that it can

deliver on the objectives. Although the Group is not yet in a position to make this commitment, it is

currently engaged in a process of consultation and ongoing work to ensure that the decision to sign is

reached with due diligence and commitment.”

- Digital Student Data Reference Group

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Next Steps1. Investigate approaches taken to capturing and

managing data at both the local level and in other jurisdictions.

2. Conduct a detailed analysis of privacy issues and other potential challenges.

3. Explore the options and mechanisms for achieving Australian participation in the Groningen Declaration.

4. Consider possible approaches to funding a national digital repository.