In addition to meeting some very dedicated managers and employees, one of the highlights of these visits was gaining a more in-depth understanding of the projects on their agenda for 2019 and beyond.

The purpose of my visits was to gain a better understanding of what the studies administrations units are working on, and how they are continuously working to develop their processes. It is clear to me that there is a lot of enthusiasm in these units, despite the busy tempo. And that they are really working hard to think digitalisation and optimisation into their work and processes.

So first and foremost, I would like to say thank you for the time the managers and employees of these units spent on showing me their day-to-day routines and work. It was truly instructive and exciting.

Next, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight some of the very exciting projects the studies administration units will continue to work on in 2019 – together with other units in the administration.

A new timetabling system will be implemented, tenders for the digital exam system will be invited, and we are going to get a new studies administration system instead of STADS. So it is correct to say that the administration of the future is taking shape in the studies administration units at AU.

Here digitalisation is an ongoing process – and this includes a focus on developing employee competencies to match the increased presence of digital solutions.

It also is important to point out that in studies administration, digitalisation is not just about the new systems. Digitalisation also involves a thorough review of work processes – they are picked apart and reviewed – so that operational benefits can be harvested in earnest. 

Something else they have made progress on in studies administration is dialogue with academic staff and students. This is incorporated so that students and lecturers are constantly involved, and the result is that progress is made towards a common result that is both user-friendly and efficient.

My visits to AU’s studies administration centres have convinced me that our focus on digitalisation and process optimisation over the past few years has been important. It has been, because I know that this development is also taking place in the other administrative divisions, and that this will ultimately benefit our users through a more efficient service of high quality.

There are still lots of areas we can develop in which digitalisation and process optimisation will play an important role. For this reason, I am planning to visit the other administrative divisions to get closer to how they perform their daily work. But I am convinced that we are on the right path to become the university administration of the future.