Redesigning the information landscape for higher education

Alison Allden, Chief Executive of HESA today welcomed the White Paper's call for improvements to the collection and use of information about higher education.

Alison said "We are keen to reduce the information burden on institutions while ensuring easy access for students and other stakeholders to the comprehensive and comparable information we hold. We look forward to working with HEFCE, HEBRG and others to redesign the future information landscape for higher education.

"As part of this redesign I am pleased to announce that HESA with UCAS and SLC are looking to develop a shared Higher Education Information Exchange Initiative (HEIEI). The initiative will aim to identify common information required throughout the student lifecycle. This will provide a basis for rationalising existing data exchanges, reducing duplication and increasing shared understanding. Through implementing agreed information standards this work will benefit both key business processes and the provision of valuable management and public information."

The HEIEI initiative is a key element in the redesign of the information landscape for higher education. As a first step it will explore the most appropriate engagement with Higher Education providers, funding councils, standards bodies and other interested parties.

Notes for Editors

1.      Press enquiries should be directed to:

HESA Press Office
01242 211120
pressoffice@hesa.ac.uk
95 Promenade, Cheltenham, GL50 1HZ.

2.      The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) is the official agency for the collection, analysis and dissemination of quantitative information about higher education.

3.      The Higher Education Information Exchange Initiative (HEIEI) is a shared initiative with HESA, UCAS and the Student Loans Company (SLC). Terms of reference will be made available on the HESA and UCAS websites shortly. A timeframe for an initial impact assessment for this initiative will be indicated.

ENDS