Sep 20061 CLIP: the new UNL information system António Porto Pro-Rector New University of Lisbon

Sep 2006 1

CLIP:CLIP:the new UNL information systemthe new UNL information system

António Porto

Pro-Rector

New University of Lisbon

Sep 2006 CLIP: the new UNL information system 2

Context:Context:the “NOVA Digital” projectthe “NOVA Digital” project

Contribute to the efficiency and quality of UNL by sharing information services– acceding

• each user autonomously• at any time and place• to authorized services

– obtaining• storage, integration, diffusion and retrieval of information

– using• a shared infra-structure

– connectivity (internal and external)– servers (Data Center)– plataforms (Oracle, CLIP, Plone, ...)– applications (POC, Academic management, UNL site,

…)


ApproachApproach

Centralized IT management– Resources

• Human• Material

– Quality of service

Decentralized information management– User enpowerment


CLIPCLIP

Campus Life Integration Platform

– Fully integrated information system


VisionVision

integrationintegration of all information

singlesingle system

universaluniversal interface

implicit individualindividual customization

instantaneousinstantaneous update effects

comprehensivecomprehensive process coverage


Two sub-projectsTwo sub-projects

Process: Process: reengineering UNL with CLIP

– “Front-office” outlook• information registered at its source

– Role reversal of archival technology• database vs. paper – original vs. copy

– Multiple viewpoints

– Automatic data consolidation and statistics

Technology: Technology: software support (PETISCO)– Declarative programming

– High-level abstraction


Integration:Integration:all information is relatedall information is related

single database– Consistency

• official information source

integrated conceptual model– Flexibility in definitions

• services• access control


Individuality:Individuality:each user is uniqueeach user is unique single authentication user-centred services

authorized services– authorizations as groupsgroups

– users belong to groups

student recordpersonal schedulecourse management


Instantaneity:Instantaneity:what you see is up-to-datewhat you see is up-to-date

fully dynamicfully dynamicgeneration of service content

no extra processesno extra processesbetween information entry and use– data in services– user access


EffectsEffects

Efficiency and productivity– Front-office vs. back-office

• distributed data entry

– Elimination of paper circuits• inversion: original / copy paper / digital

Transparency– Quantity

• observables / observers

– Quality• actual, consistent, official

Community– sharing processes / results


In-house technology developmentIn-house technology development

Applied research– use research results– induce interesting research

Opportunity for student projects

High capacity for change– Maintenance– Improvement

• user feedback

– New services


User’s viewUser’s view

Channels to services

Navigation context– point of view

– authorization

Parameter

choice


Explicit authentication id / password

Implicit authorization group

Group– intensional descriptions

• ExpressivenessExpressiveness

– algebraic composition• ModularityModularity

– individual extension

Access controlAccess control

DelegationDelegation


Implemented servicesImplemented services

Curricula management– Study programs– Versions

• Paths, areas, credits

– Curricular plans• Courses: compulsory, blocks, …

– Dependencies• Prerequisites, equivalences, …



Student lifecycle– Application– Admission– Payments– Course enrollment– Study path change– Termination– Certificates and diplomas– Multiple views

• student records, class and exam schedules, etc.



Academic year– Admissions– Courses on offer– Teaching duties

• Classes, teacher assignments

– Class scheduling• Timetables, room assignments

– Student enrollment in classes• Choice of classes in a course

– Exam scheduling



Course management– Descriptions

• Objectives, program, bibliography, etc.

– Student load breakdown for ECTS credit rating– Class definition

• Type, number

– Teacher assignment– Activity summaries– Grade registration– Views on enrolled students



Statistics– Students

• Admissions, enrollments, diplomas• Parametric filtering

– Institution, level, program, year, …

– Grades• Parametric filtering

– Institution, department, program, course, year, …


Current and next developmentsCurrent and next developments

Study program submission– New and revised programs– Structure and documentation

Automatic information package– Study programs and courses

Erasmus mobility– Institutional agreements– Outgoing and incoming students

• Application form

• Learning agreement

• Transcript of records


Conclusions (1)Conclusions (1)

Overall satisfaction of “clients” – less unwanted manual work– much greater transparency– greater sense of community

Good supporting technology– reliable implementation– fast development / maintenance– emerging paths for improvement

No fear of code rewrite!


Conclusions (2)Conclusions (2)

Political difficulties– The autonomy issue (Faculties vs.

University)

– Trust in central organization

• Control

• Equity

• Budget

– Fear of change

Documents

Sep 20061 CLIP: the new UNL information system António Porto Pro-Rector New University of Lisbon