An HEI should consider how its digital infrastructure is and can remain fit-for-purpose, taking into account the dynamic nature of digital transformation and the diverse and evolving needs of its internal and external stakeholders.
It is important to ensure that the digital infrastructure is consciously planned, managed and improved based on user feedback and in line with the monitoring and assessment activities put in place for the implementation of the digital strategy. The digital infrastructure should integrate the institution’s learning technologies and platforms, research and administrative systems, and supporting ICT services. It should also support the innovative and creative efforts of leadership, staff, students and the wider stakeholder community.
An operational plan should be in place for the optimisation and maintenance of the digital infrastructure and its digital systems and services. The operational plan should include clear objectives and performance metrics set against short, medium- and long-term timescales and feature programmed periods of review. The operational plan should include management, integration, optimisation and adaptation of the digital systems and services, and be based on feedback from the regular consultations with staff, students and the wider stakeholder community.
For the optimisation of digital systems and services, the HEI should consider where it is possible to include aspects of interoperability with other national systems and relevant EU initiatives. The HEI should assess how relevant national and international data and content exchange processes can be incorporated into their digital systems and services, with due consideration for data security and privacy. EU initiatives for consideration include, but are not limited to, the European Student Card, the Erasmus Without Paper project, the European Digital Student Infrastructure (EDSSI), eduGAIN credentials and the European Student identifier.
Focusing more specifically on data security and privacy, an HEI which is optimising and adapting its digital infrastructure, with attention to both its digital systems and services, must ensure that it adheres to the appropriate legal and ethical standards. All systems and services users should understand and implement appropriate policies and actions in line with these standards. This covers data security and privacy as well as intellectual property rights. There should be designated responsibility given for drafting, authorising and communicating on the relevant legal and ethical standards.
