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

mwenger@ece.org

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

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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:• cheryl@USjournal.com• KMcCague@odu.edu• zsmahmood@intcas.com• margit@ece.org

Groningen Declaration:Digitizing Data to Empower Students, Improve Integrity, and Enhance Efficiency

NAFSA Annual Conference in Denver, 1 June 2016