Groningen Declaration:Digitizing Data to Empower Students, Improve Integrity, and Enhance Efficiency
NAFSA Annual Conference in Denver, 1 June 2016
Co-Presenters:Cheryl Boychuck, USjournal / FundsVKen McCague, Old Dominion UniversityZakaria Mahmood, INTCASMargit Schatzman, ECE
Learning Objectives:1. Understand current vulnerabilities2. Gain confidence in authenticating data3. Improve efficiency and integrity
Groningen Declaration GoalsThe Groningen Declaration seeks common ground in best serving the academic and professional mobility needs of citizens worldwide by bringing together key stakeholders in the Digital Student Data Ecosystem.Citizens worldwide should be able to consult and share their authentic educational data with whomever they want, whenever they want, wherever.
• 2012• Signatories
– 50 signatories in more than 20 countries
• Task Force on Verification Policy and Best Practices in Verification
Groningen Declaration Quick Facts
Vulnerabilities on Campus1. Fraud in Financial Documentation• Proof of Sufficient Funds
Vulnerabilities on Campus1. Fraud in Financial Documentation• Proof of Sufficient Funds
2. Inefficient Processes• Student Loan Portability
Groningen Declaration Task ForceEmpowering Cross Border Enrolment and Student Loan Portability(Netherlands)
(Belgium)
Vulnerabilities, in perspective
Vulnerabilities, in perspective
Vulnerabilities, in perspective
Vulnerabilities, in perspective
International Admissions• Complex and convoluted risksoAcademic, financial, legal•Solution: oShare data and intelligenceoAcross industries, markets, borders
INTCAS: A British Model• INTelligent Communities Around Students•Single admission ecosystem•Streamlining the visa process…
o From within the sector
Streamlining the student admission process – Segment - Payment to Visa
1 2
Expl
ore
Appl
y
3
Adm
issio
n
4
Paym
ent
5
Visa
6
Pre
Depa
rtur
e
7
Post
En
rolm
ent
Unconditional
Off
er
Exploration
Application
Admission
Imm
igration
Visa
Enrolment &
Com
mission
Graduation
Alumni
Payment
Conditional O
ffer
Admission
Interview
Pre-Departure Planning
Course Att
endance
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Visa Support Centre
Escrow
Maintenance Allowance +
Tuition Fee
UK Bank Statement
Fund VerificationCentre
Entry Clearance Officer(ECO)
Fund VerificationCentre
Entry Clearance Administrators
--------------------
Invoice Generation
--------------------
Due Diligence
Report
MasterApplication
Form
+
Filter
Application Presentation
Admission Interview
Reports
+
Checks & Balances
+ Risk
Indicators
ComplianceReports
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Conditional Offers
--------------------
Unconditional Offers
CommissionMatrix
+Qualification AQualification BQualification CQualification D
Top Five Challenges1. Dealing with an institutional administration that insists on receiving paper credentials for applicants.2. Having two systems running at once – digital / electronic and paper. 3. Technical integration (sending and receiving institutions might have different technical standards…) 4. Vetting third parties involved in data transfer.5. Not knowing what's out there, and what to expect from different countries and institutions.
The most helpful things credential evaluators are doing
to manage these challenges.
Helpful Strategies1. Gathering information and becoming informed about the digital systems available in source countries.2. Becoming active in digital initiatives, such as EAIE's DSDP interest area and the Groningen Declaration.3. Developing internal policies that encourage acceptance of digital information.4. Working pro-actively with institutional IT staff to establish systems that will promote ease of transfer of digital data.
More Helpful Strategies5. Developing and reviewing documentation requirements that are specific to the country or institution based on their ability to transfer student data digitally, and providing that information to applicants.6. Avoiding a one-size-fits-all documentation policy when the types of documents sent and received varies so much. 7. Be proactive; don't wait to stumble upon databases or verification sources – Do research, share information with colleagues, develop relationships.
What’s Next?• Groningen Declaration Documentation Task
Force• Developing standards
• EdExchange – The Network• Postsecondary Electronic Standards Council
(PESC)• Uniform international educational institution
codes• Groningen Declaration Annual Meeting Update
Questions and Answers:• [email protected]• [email protected]• [email protected]• [email protected]
Groningen Declaration:Digitizing Data to Empower Students, Improve Integrity, and Enhance Efficiency
NAFSA Annual Conference in Denver, 1 June 2016