Steps towards the interoperable higher education ecosystem
Higher education interoperability workgroup
The higher education interoperability workgroup aims to develop a framework that will serve European higher education institutions as a practical toolkit to ensure interoperable virtual learning environments. It also works on developing actionable recommendations for the practical implementation, maintenance and governance of the framework. The guiding principles of the workgroup are outlined in the Manifesto for a European Higher Education Interoperability Framework. The workgroup is organised by the European Digital Education Hub.
Developing the Higher Education Interoperability Framework
Following workshops and meetings with representatives of European Universities alliances and various European institutions, the experts are now focusing on eight concrete use cases where interoperability is key to trans-national cooperation, each with a dedicated working group.During the interactive use cases sessions, experts work on modelling high-level flows and reference architectures. The aim is to create a ‘common language’ that higher education institutions can use to align key processes within a European University alliance and beyond.
The uses case sessions explore the following areas of higher education interoperability:
- visibility and comparability of diverse learning and mobility opportunities across higher education institutions
- credit recognition and cross-institutional enrolment, e.g. in joint programmes
- management and governance of shared tools and resources
- accessibility and re-use of educational materials
- standardised approach for the exchange of learners’ activity data
- digital management of educational credentials
- interoperability for user identities across educational transitions
- developing a cohesive framework for trusted institutional identities
Experts are now working on creating a thorough gap analysis in each of these areas and on shaping the components of the toolkit to be developed and tested in the coming months.
How does it link with the Observatory
Institutional identity is one of two foundational, supporting use cases that are being addressed in the framework. Some of the existing European initiatives the Observatory is building on – the European Tertiary Education Register (ETER), U-Multirank and the Database of External Quality Assurance Results (DEQAR) – are key existing initiatives that create a Europe-wide framework for institutional identity. The work on the Observatory and this specific use case of the Framework thus relate closely.
Join the workgroup
Since its start in 2024, the workgroup has grown to more than 130 members of very diverse backgrounds. This diversity is a key ingredient in achieving the group’s mission.
Your specific skills set can contribute to building a practical toolkit to ensure interoperable virtual learning environments.
Only registered members of the European Digital Education Hub can apply to become part of the interoperability workgroup. To find out more about the upcoming activities, sign up for the Hub and join the Higher Education Interoperability Workgroup channel (link available only to the Hub members). It is easy and completely for free!
Related content
About the Higher Education Interoperability working group
About the European universities initiative and its alliances