CLIP: the new UNL information system

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

2. Context:the “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, …) CLIP: the new UNL information system

3. Approach • Centralized IT management • Resources • Human • Material • Quality of service • Decentralized information management • User enpowerment CLIP: the new UNL information system

4. CLIP • Campus Life Integration Platform • Fully integrated information system CLIP: the new UNL information system

5. Vision • integration of all information • single system • universal interface • implicit individual customization • instantaneous update effects • comprehensive process coverage CLIP: the new UNL information system

6. Two sub-projects • 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: software support (PETISCO) • Declarative programming • High-level abstraction CLIP: the new UNL information system

7. Integration:all information is related • single database • Consistency • official information source • integrated conceptual model • Flexibility in definitions • services • access control CLIP: the new UNL information system

8. Individuality:each user is unique • single authentication • user-centred services • authorized services • authorizations as groups • users belong to groups student record personal schedule course management CLIP: the new UNL information system

9. Instantaneity:what you see is up-to-date • fully dynamicgeneration of service content • no extra processesbetween information entry and use • data in services • user access CLIP: the new UNL information system

10. Effects • 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 CLIP: the new UNL information system

11. In-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 CLIP: the new UNL information system

12. User’s view • Channels to services • Navigation context • point of view • authorization • Parameterchoice CLIP: the new UNL information system

13. Access control • Explicit authentication id / password • Implicit authorization group • Group • intensional descriptions • Expressiveness • algebraic composition • Modularity • individual extension Delegation CLIP: the new UNL information system

14. Implemented services • Curricula management • Study programs • Versions • Paths, areas, credits • Curricular plans • Courses: compulsory, blocks, … • Dependencies • Prerequisites, equivalences, … CLIP: the new UNL information system

15. Implemented services • Student lifecycle • Application • Admission • Payments • Course enrollment • Study path change • Termination • Certificates and diplomas • Multiple views • student records, class and exam schedules, etc. CLIP: the new UNL information system

16. Implemented services • 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 CLIP: the new UNL information system

17. Implemented services • 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 CLIP: the new UNL information system

18. Implemented services • Statistics • Students • Admissions, enrollments, diplomas • Parametric filtering • Institution, level, program, year, … • Grades • Parametric filtering • Institution, department, program, course, year, … CLIP: the new UNL information system

19. Current 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 CLIP: the new UNL information system

20. 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! CLIP: the new UNL information system

21. Conclusions (2) • Political difficulties • The autonomy issue (Faculties vs. University) • Trust in central organization • Control • Equity • Budget • Fear of change CLIP: the new UNL information system