Now begins the analysis of SDU’s study administration

Over the next few years, the educational sector will face a number of changes following political reforms in relation to admission and regionalisation, increased focus on further and continuing education, internationalisation, a demographic development of fewer students and a new student administration system which will replace STADS. In order for SDU to handle these changes in the best possible way, the Rectorate would like a survey of the University’s current study and education administrative tasks to be carried out.

A steering committee has been established, which is responsible for ensuring that the analysis is carried out in close collaboration with an external consultancy firm. The steering committee consists of University Director Thomas Buchvald Vind (Chair), Pro-Rector Helle Waagepetersen and Dean Ole Skøtt from the Faculty of Health Sciences.

After obtaining tenders from three consultancy firms (Carve, Implement and Valcon), the steering committee has decided to enter into a contract with Carve. The analysis will look at SDU’s study administration across the Central Administration’s various areas, across the Central Administration itself, the faculties (including departments and study programmes) and also across SDU’s different campuses. To carry out the analysis, Carve will use existing data material from SDU and will add to this data by conducting a large number of management interviews. In addition, based on the survey of the study administration tasks and resources, Carve will develop recommendations and formulate a vision for the study administration, which will be developed during the course of the analysis. Carve’s consultancy team has experience of working for universities and has knowledge of study administrative tasks.

The steering committee has decided to establish a working group to assist in qualifying the analysis. To ensure a broad perspective on SDU’s study administration, the working group consists of several professionals:

• Henning Andersen, Director of Studies at TEK and member of the Council for Education, who has insight into and responsibility for study administration at a ‘wet’ faculty
• Annette Schmidt, Head of Secretariat for SAMF Education, who has insight into and responsibility for study administration at a ‘dry’ faculty
• Annette Lund, Head of Studies and member of the Council for Education, who is responsible for study administration in Student Services, Central Administration
• Jacob Jensen, Head of SDU Analytics, who is responsible for education data, study data and other key statistics
• Nicolai Sørensen, Deputy Director of Financial Services, who is responsible for data on FTE and finance

It is expected that the steering committee and Carve will spend a few weeks reaching an agreement on a more detailed analysis and schedule. Once the schedule has been agreed, the steering committee will communicate this. It is expected that Carve will deliver the analysis to the steering committee at the end of the year with a view to SDU’s Executive Board being able to process the recommendations and make a decision during the first quarter of 2023.

The steering committee will ensure ongoing information about the analysis, and you can find information about the analysis on the site on SDUnet, where there is also a brief description of the analysis and the schedule (see this PowerPoint presentation).