Australian Statement of Interest in the
Groningen Declaration
Presentation to
Groningen Declaration Annual Meeting
Georgetown University
Washington D.C.
Ms Ainslie Moore, Policy Director International, Universities
Australia
Mr Neil Robinson, Academic Registrar, The University of
Melbourne
Venue
City/State
April 2014
19January
2007
Overview
1.
2.
3.
4.
The Tertiary Education Landscape in Australia
Current Practice
The Benefits of Participation
The Potential for Australian Participation in the
Groningen Declaration
5. Statement of Interest
6. 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 Participation
For 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 platform
For 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 Declaration
Survey 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 Steps
1. 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.
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