EMREX Newsletter, March 2019

| News, Newsletter | Featured

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE EMREX 2019 ANNUAL ASSEMBLY

The EMREX Annual Assembly for 2019 will be held on June 3rd (Monday), 15.00-18:00 in Trondheim, Norway. It is co-located and co-timed with the EUNIS 2019 conference (starting on Wednesday) and the EUNIS pre-workshop on student mobility (Tuesday) so that it is possible to attend all events. Agenda will be published in May. Suggestions from members of topics to deal with should be sent to the secretary (info@emrex.eu) by May 3rd.

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE EMREX 2019 ANNUAL ASSEMBLY

The EMREX Annual Assembly for 2019 will be held on June 3rd (Monday), 15.00-18:00 in Trondheim, Norway. It is co-located and co-timed with the EUNIS 2019 conference (starting on Wednesday) and the EUNIS pre-workshop on student mobility (Tuesday) so that it is possible to attend all events. Agenda will be published in May. Suggestions from members of topics to deal with should be sent to the secretary (info@emrex.eu) by May 3rd.

ELMO 1.4 SUPPORTING DIPLOMA SUPPLEMENT HAS BEEN RELEASED

  Version 1.4 of ELMO has now been released on GitHub: https://github.com/emrex-eu/elmo-schemas/releases/tag/v1.4.0 The new version includes structure for Diploma Supplement data and is based on the results of the workshop in Helsinki in September 2018. This update enables producers of ELMO Diploma data to add Diploma Supplement information as structural data, in addition to the DS-document itself. Thereafter the EMREX and EWP networks will be able to exchange Diploma Supplement structured data.

CROATIA IS NOW A FULL MEMBER OF THE EMREX USER GROUP (EUG)

Croatia has been accepted as a full member to the EMREX User Group (EUG). As it is stated in the EMREX User Group Statutes a full-member needs to be responsible for one or more NCPs. Full-members are the foundation of EUG and all have one vote per country. The Croatian NCP (National Contact Point) was launched last fall and it can be used by all higher education institutions in Croatia. Croatia is represented by the Agency for Science and Higher Education (ASHE). Igor Drvodelić from ASHE will be acting as the voting member for Croatia. Croatia’s membership will be confirmed in the forthcoming EMREX Annual Assembly later this year. The other full-member countries of EUG are Finland, Denmark, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland and Sweden. For more information on how to join the EMREX Network see https://zgfreestyle.hr/emrex/how-to-join.

EMREX PRESENTED AT CONFERENCES IN 2018

In 2018 EMREX has been represented in the Taking forward the EU Student eCard initiative run by the European Commision (DG Connect and DG EAC). The network has also been presented at various conferences and events. Some of them are listed below:

In addition EMREX has been presented at a number of national conferences, and there has been held several technical workshops with companies, public bodies, universities for the implementation of EMREX. EMREX will also join the next EAIE conference. This includes a joint session run by UNIT and Nokut from Norway and Digitary from Ireland. The session has the title ”How we build internet of trust to streamline academic recognition and enhance employability of graduates”.

EMREX EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MET IN WARSAW ON JANUARY 8-9TH, 2019

EMREX Executive Committee met on January 8-9th, 2019 to discuss the realization of the work plan for 2018, as well as goals and strategy for 2019. The goals for 2018 have been obtained according to work plan, the only activity which has been postponed until 2019 is preparation of information materials to be used at various events and posted in the EMREX portal. The work plan for 2019 contains:

  • Implementing of ELMO 1.4.
  • Results recognition, workshop on requirements
  • Supporting grade conversion by means of Egracons
  • Market the possibility to open the student registry for employers
  • Update the emrex.eu website.
  • Strengthen the collaboration with ongoing EU-projects.
  • Seek other collaboration opportunities.
  • Create general information material.
  • Send regular newsletters to the members.
  • Seek to increase memberships
  • Hold the Annual Assembly meeting.

Jan Joost Norder from DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs, Netherlands) will continue his duty as the chair.Geir Vangen from UNIT (Norway) as vice chair, and Tor Fridell from LADOK (Sweden) as the secretary. The remaining members of the Executive Committee are Janina Mincer-Daszkiewicz from the University of Warsaw (Poland) and Jukka Kohtanen from CSC (Finland).

EMREX Newsletter, October 2018

| Newsletter | Featured

Changes in the EMREX Executive Committee

The past summer 2018 brought some changes into the EMREX Executive Committee (EC). In the extra annual assembly held in September Jan Joost Norder from DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs), Netherlands was elected as the new Chair of the EC to replace Jonna Korhonen who has moved to other duties in Finland. Additionally Tor Fridell took over the secretary’s duties as Johan Bergström had to leave his place in the EC due to a changing employment. The whole EMREX community wants to express great thanks to Jonna and Johan and wish them the best of success in their new challenges.

The EC continues its work with five official members:

– Jan Joost Norder, the Netherlands (Chair)
– Geir Vangen, Norway (Vice chair)
– Janina Mincer-Daszkiewicz, Poland
– Jukka Kohtanen, Finland
– Tor Fridell, Sweden (Secretary)

The first meeting of the EC in its current form was held in the beginning of September at CSC’s premises in Finland where everyone had arrived to participate in the next day’s ELMO and Diploma Supplement workshop. Read more about the workshop in the newsletter.

Jan-Joost Norder, Chair of the EMREX Executive Committee

ELMO workshop on Diploma Supplement

On September 7th, 2018 the EMREX Consortium arranged a workshop in Helsinki on adding full Diploma supplement support to ELMO. This was an open workshop with 15 participants

The workshop was held at the CSC premises in Espoo. Geir Vangen was the chair of the workshop. Susanna Kärki from the Finnish National Agency for Education led us though the Diploma Supplement document standard, the history of this and the latest revision. Matija Puzar took care of the technical part of the session.

Diploma Supplement has been an important part of the recognition of academic qualifications creating greater transparency in the European Higher Education Area since its adoption in 1999. It describes the nature, level, context, content and status of the studies in a standardized description an thus, facilitates the understanding and recognition of qualifications across European borders. So far the document has been mostly issued in a paper-based format.

The goal of this work is to enable representation and exchange of Diploma Supplement data in networks like EMREX and EWP (Erasmus Without Papers), providing support for Diploma solutions based on ELMO.

The group ran through a number of Diploma Supplement examples during the session, which ended up in a proposal for changes to the ELMO format.

A proposal for ELMO 1.4 will be published at GitHub later this autumn, with a goal to put this version into production by February 2019.

Geir Vangen and participants of the ELMO workshop in HELSINKI (photo taken by Pinja Ahola, CSC)

Croatia joining the EMREX Network

After several moths in which the Agency for Science and Higher Education (ASHE) had participated in the EMREX Group as an associate member we can finally announce with pleasure that the Croatian NCP was launched and it can be used by all higher education institutions in Croatia. The service for electronic exchange of student records was published on the National Identification and Authentication System on August 29, 2018. The system also uses eID for EU citizens who are not from Croatia. The service can be used for multiple purposes, not just for student exchange, wherever verified transcript of records are required.

In order to attract universities to the EMREX network ASHE has visired several major universities throughout Croatia and held two presentation for the vice-rectors for student affairs of the Croatian univeristies, the first presentation was held by Mats Lindstedt (former EMREX project leader) in February 2017, whom ASHE also invited to the International association of admissions organisations conference in Croatia in 2016.

EMREX at EAIE in Geneva

A session titled “Supporting Digital Admission and Recognition with EMREX” was held at EAIE in Geneva in September 2018.

This session presented the EMREX platform and its innovative potential for student mobility and higher education. Following successful specification, development and live-testing, EMREX has undergone the transformation from a heavily EU-subsidized project to a completely partner-financed network. EMREX has proven effective in the digital transfer of student achievement records and a logical next step in admission and recognition. Who is joining and how is this project proceeding?

Susanne Suhr Andersen from Danish Agency for Science and Higher ducation was the chair of the session, speaker were Vera Mol from DUO, Netherlands and Geir Vangen from UNIT, the Norwegian Directorate for ICT.

We were very happy with the interest for the session and had a good discussion with the audience.

 

Vera Mol from DUO presenting EMREX at EAIE in Geneva (photo taken by Geir Vangen)

Others about EMREX

“The network of EMREX aims to further connect and enhance student data portability and provide student data globally. EMREX empowers individuals to manage their student data and to transfer credentials securely to employers, institutions and more.

Read more about EMREX in the context of university degrees in the University World News in an article by Linda J. Børresen and Stig Arne Skjerven titled “Detecting Fake Univeristy Degrees in a Digital World“

Be in Touch

EMREX portal is available at emrex.eu. To contact us write to info@emrex.eu. To get support write to support@emrex.eu.

 

 

EMREX Newsletter July 2018

| Newsletter | Featured

EMREX – more than a Project

As of April 2018 the Emrex project transformed into the EMREX User group. This means, among
other things, that the Network is open for other organisations than the initial founders.
This newsletter is created to let current and future members know what is happening within the
Network

 

The Annual Assembly of the EMREX User Group (EUG) was held on 17 April 2018 in Paris where almost 40 people from 15 different countries gathered to hear and discuss about the development of EMREX.

The EMREX project has been found to be truly successful. Studens are using the service actively and as seen in the Annual Assembly multiple organizations from all around the world are interested in becoming part of the EMREX User Group. A summary of the minutes of the Annual Assembly is provided below with a link to the full minutes.

If your organization is interested in joining the EMREX Network or have any other questions regarding EMREX, please contact the Executive Committee.

Annual Assembly Minutes

The new EMREX executive comittee comprises of six individuals.

  • Jonna Korhonen (chair). CSC – Finland
  • Jan-Joost Norder, DUO – Netherlands
  • Johan Bergström, Umeå universitet – Sweden
  • Tor Fridell, Ladokkonsortiet – Sweden
  • Janina Mincer-Daszkiewicz, University of Warsaw – Poland
  • Geir Mange Vangen, UNIT – Norway

 

Minutes from General Assembly 2018

| Annual Assembly | Featured

The Annual Assembly of the Emrex User Group (EUG) was held on 17 April 2018 in Paris where almost 40 people from 15 different countries gathered to hear and discuss about the development of EMREX.

The meeting was opened with an introduction to Emrex and latest country news presented by the current full member countries of the Emrex Network. Before proceeding to the Annual Assembly, the President of PESC (the Professional Exchange Service Corporation, USA) Michael Sessa offered the participants an inspirational look to Emrex from global perspective.

The Emrex project has been found to be truly successful. Students are using the service actively and as seen in the Annual Assembly multiple organizations from all around the world are interested in becoming part of the Emrex User Group. A summary of the minutes of the Annual Assembly is provided below with a link to the full minutes.

If your organization is interested in joining the Emrex Network or have any other questions regarding Emrex, please contact the Executive Committee.

The full minutes of the Emrex User Group Annual Assembly

Summary of the minutes of the Annual Assembly

  1. The Annual Assembly was opened by the Chair Jonna Korhonen at 13:12.
  2. The minutes of Emrex User Group constituent meeting on 16 January 2018 were accepted
  3. Interim Executive Committee gave its report to the EMREX User Group including the renewed statutes (Johan Bergström), the EMREX Year Plan 2018 (Tor Fridell) and EMREX Policy agreement (Janina Mincer-Daskiewicz). In addition, Geir Vangen presented other ongoing businesses and collaboration opportunities.
  4. The presented documents were accepted with the following modifications:
    • Year Plan was accepted after the addition of the word “proactively” in our approach looking for EU and other international collaboration opportunities
    • Emrex Policy Agreement was accepted with the updates regarding the maintenance windows and the NCP
  5. The following persons were elected as members of the new Executive Committee 2018-2020:
    • Johan Bergström, SE
    • Tor Fridell, SE
    • Jonna Korhonen, FI
    • Jan-Joost Norder, the NL
    • Janina Mincer-Daszkiewicz, PL
    • Geir Vangen, NO
  1. Jonna Korhonen (FI) was elected as the chair of the Executive Committee.
  2. The following associate members were accepted to the Emrex User Group Associate Members
  3. Jonna Korhonen closed the Annual Assembly at 15:00 pm

 

Extra annual assembly 2018-08-22

An online extra annual assembly was held in august 2018 with the only item vote for Chair of the Executive Committee. The votes were unanimously in favor of Jan-Joost Norder as Chair.

Jan-Joost is therefore as of 2018-08-22 the new Chair.

Minutes are here. Extra assembly 180815

Updates from the EMREX General Assembly

| Annual Assembly | Featured

Matured electronic student data exchange solution EMREX is off to a great start

Erasmus+ funded collaboration EMREX-project that was created to support the student mobility by creating technical solution to ease the recognition process was put to production in summer 2017. After the first six months, over 150 000 people in Europe logged in to share or receive student data. The EMREX Network empowers individuals to control their own electronic student data and exchange it across borders, for example, in applying for studies, getting employed or recognizing a degree. – The process of admission and recognition is costly and inefficient today, and EMREX hoped to lower the barrier for foreign exchanges by making the process easier. The main priority that EMREX project addressed was the Europe 2020 strategy target that 20% of higher education students should be mobile during their studies, says the Chair of the EMREX Executive Committee, Development Manager Jonna Korhonen from CSC.

Greatly appreciated by students

The development of the EMREX solution started as policy experimentation project of six partners from Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Italy and Poland. In 2015–2017, the project was co-financed by the European Commission through the Erasmus+ programme. The partners built a technical solution and network to exchange electronically achievement data and then tested the solution with exchange students in a field trial in the partner countries. – The experiences from the field trial showed that the technical solution is easy to use, adaptable to different national contexts, and greatly appreciated by the students.

Enlargement and consolidation

In 2018, the former project countries together with new members formed the EMREX User Group to maintain, develop and support the EMREX solution. The first Annual Assembly was held on 17 April 2018 in Paris, France in connection to the Groningen Declaration Network Seminar. – The Annual Assembly was a very successful meeting with a lot of enthusiasm, good discussions and ideas how to develop the tool and take the international collaboration further. We are especially glad to have many new associate members onboard from Europe, Australia, USA and China, says Korhonen. The initial goal of EMREX was to lower the barrier for foreign exchanges by making the processes easier. Whilst digitizing student records by placing individual at the center of data management, the EMREX project fostered interoperable environment for free flow of educational data across borders. By enhancing the availability of data and increasing business opportunities for various actors across Europe, EMREX supports European data economy. For example Norwegian employers have already implemented EMREX clients for receiving data directly into their recruitment systems, and more is to come. – The next step in year 2018 is to expand the network, provide support material for future members but also to develop the shared ELMO standard further to support e.g. Diploma Supplement delivery.

Tags: , ,

the Dutch NCP is live!

| News | Featured

Through the great work of DUO (Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs) the Dutch NCP is now live. This is great news and we welcome DUO to our growing network.

EMREX General Assembly 2018

| Annual Assembly | Featured

Come and join us at the EMREX General Assembly.

April 17th, 2018

Paris, France

EMREX User Group

EMREX presented at the SCOOP4C Conference in Berlin

| News | Featured

EMREX was late November presented at the SCCOP4C Conference in Berlin. SCOOP4C is a Stakeholder community to the once-only principle that aims at eliminating the administrative burden when citizens are required to provide the same information again and again to public administrations. During the conference the project leader Mats Lindstedt was interviewed. See parts of the interview here.

Thank you!

| News | Featured

The EMREX Project held its third seminar titled “EMREX Unleashed!” 30th November 2017 in Bologna. Around 80 participants from 11 countries participated, and the many great presentations during the day showed that the future of EMREX looks bright.

Workshop with uni-assist in Berlin

| News | Featured

Earlier this month the EMREX Project had a successfull workshop with uni-assist in Berlin. Uni-assist is a german University Application service for International Students used by more than 150 german universities. Uni-assist is interested in using EMREX primarily for admission purposes. As an outcome of the workshop uni-assist are planning to implement an EMREX client in the next generation app for applicants so that it maybe in the portal during 2019. Uni-assist will also look into the possibilities of having a German National Contact Point.