RDEM project timeline, background and benefits

Go-live launch activities

  • RDEM launched in eVision on 16 September, following successful user acceptance testing (UAT) and approval at Project Board on Tuesday 2 September.
  • Graduate Administrator Access was opened on 1 October.
  • Post-outcome suspension On Course Application forms were released on 3 December.

Timeline*

RDEM timeline
[* please click on the image to enlarge]

Background

In 2017, Education Committee’s Research Degrees Panel initiated a review of the regulations and policy on postgraduate research (PGR) student degree outcomes. Following a consultation during 2018-19, it agreed a number of important regulatory changes. However, implementation of these changes was delayed because of the need for IT system development to support the underlying process. 

Separately, in early 2020, a number of processes relating to the PGR student journey were moved into eVision, including the steps undertaken by PGR students to initiate the examination of their research thesis. This stage in the process was prioritised for migration into eVision as it greatly improved the user experience for PGR students. However, the remainder of the examiner appointment and outcomes processes were not migrated at this point, due to the complexity of these stages. 

This project has enabled the implementation of the previously agreed regulatory changes related to research degree outcomes and successfully moved the PGR examiner appointment process and outcomes stages into eVision. Working closely with stakeholders in Education Policy Support, Research Degrees, and divisions, the project has made process improvements wherever possible and facilitated the retirement of the MS Access database previously used to manage these activities. 

Benefits

The project is expected to deliver the following benefits:

  • A clearer and more logical set of outcomes following PGR student assessment
  • Future regulatory and policy changes can be implemented more quickly
  • Improved compliance with the regulations and more effective monitoring of policy adherence
  • Time savings for administrative staff
  • Increased student satisfaction with the process
  • Streamlined platform for examiners to engage with research examination process
  • Improved data quality and reporting
  • Reduced risk of data breaches
  • Reduced risk of system failure and data unavailability

Contact

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