Set to replace the current study programme administration IT solution used by Danish universities.<\/p>\n
Jointly managed by seven of eight Danish universities \u2013 Aarhus University opted for a different solution after the project was handed over to the universities.<\/p>\n
The University of Copenhagen (UCPH) expects to implement the system in summer 2026. Full use is scheduled for autumn 2027.<\/p>\n
The project has gone DKK 480 million over budget and is at least 4.5 years delayed. In 2023, the project was projected to cost DKK 1.2 billion.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The system has yet to be put into use \u2014 neither at the University of Copenhagen nor the six other universities involved (Aarhus University has opted out of the collaboration). But according to Rie Snekkerup, Deputy Director for Education at UCPH and a member of the national programme steering group for the IT project, progress is being made.<\/p>\n
\u00bbWe are deep into development and design, and we expect the first university \u2014 Technical University of Denmark DTU \u2014 will start using the system in November this year. At UCPH, we anticipate implementation to begin in summer 2026, with full rollout in autumn 2027,\u00ab she says.<\/p>\n
The new system is to replace the current study programme administration system, which dates back to the 1990s. It is used to manage data on students, including their academic progress and exam results.<\/p>\n
\u00bbThe system we have today is stable and robust, but it is outdated. We are dreaming of a technological quantum leap that will make things easier for both students and our administrative staff,\u00ab says Rie Snekkerup.<\/p>\n
According to Snekkerup, the development of new and modern processes and improved support starts with replacing the system’s core structure. From there, the hope is that artificial intelligence will play a key role. The design of the new IT system, she explains, is based on a student-centric approach.<\/p>\n
The improvements we had looked forward to will take longer to arrive<\/p>\n
Rie Snekkerup, Deputy Director for Education at UCPH<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\u00bbWe want to offer a service where students, for instance, can easily see their academic progress, apply for credit transfers digitally, or receive suggestions on how to structure their degree programme to achieve a specific competence profile. It\u2019s about user-friendliness and overview,\u00ab she says.<\/p>\n
Administratively, she also sees major potential. At present, data is often moved manually between systems and spreadsheets \u2014 a practice that, according to Snekkerup, is inefficient and error-prone. The new system aims to automate a number of workflows and create better data integration across the university.<\/p>\n
UCPH: No consequences from delay \u2014 apart from stalled benefits<\/h3>\n
Although the system is several years delayed, it has not had any consequences in a traditional sense, according to Rie Snekkerup.<\/p>\n
\u00bbStudents are still able to register for courses and take exams. But the improvements we had looked forward to will take longer to arrive. So the delay mainly means we have not yet reaped the benefits we had anticipated,\u00ab she says.<\/p>\n
She does acknowledge, however, that the old system causes frustration in practice.<\/p>\n
\u00bbWe are well aware that many students, for example, set up Facebook groups to get an overview of their timetables, because our systems are not well integrated. This is one of the key areas where we hope for major improvements with the new system,\u00ab says Rie Snekkerup.<\/p>\n
Ministry had to give up<\/h3>\n
The parliamentary consultation 1 April is after sharp criticism of the IT project from the national auditors. Their criticism particularly concerns the period when the project was managed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science, before the universities themselves took over responsibility in December 2021.<\/p>\n
Now it\u2019s in our hands. That gives us new energy and a different pace<\/p>\n
Rie Snekkerup, Deputy Director for Education at UCPH<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\u00bbIt\u2019s important to understand that the criticism refers to the time before the project was handed over to the universities. We were involved, but we weren\u2019t the ones calling the shots. Now we are \u2014 and that has made a difference,\u00ab says Rie Snekkerup.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Higher Education and Science is also criticised for not having sufficiently monitored the project after it was transferred to the universities. \u2018Sharp criticism\u2019 is the second most severe category of censure that the National Audit Agency can issue.<\/p>\n
According to Rie Snekkerup, the universities have allocated more staff to the project in an effort to avoid further delays.<\/p>\n
\u00bbNow it\u2019s in our hands. That gives us new energy and a different pace. That doesn\u2019t mean everything is easy. But there is momentum, and we\u2019re starting to see the outlines of a really strong system,\u00ab she says.<\/p>\n
Risk of further delays?<\/h3>\n
When asked whether the system could face further delays \u2014 and additional costs \u2014 the answer is neither a clear yes nor no:<\/p>\n
\u00bbWith large IT projects, you can never be entirely sure. Unexpected issues can always arise. But we have contingency reserves and scenarios in place, and we are doing everything we can to stay on course. Right now, things are looking positive,\u00ab says Rie Snekkerup.<\/p>\n
She emphasises that the collaboration between the seven universities is working well, and that the relationship with the ministry \u2014 which still has a role in certain areas \u2014 is also satisfactory.<\/p>\n
Once the system is finally in place, Rie Snekkerup hopes it will become a cornerstone in creating a more digital and service-oriented university.<\/p>\n
\u00bbWe need to be able to offer students digital support, so they can focus their energy on academics, student life and learning \u2014 not on navigating convoluted systems. That is what we\u2019re aiming for. And even though it has taken a long time, I believe we\u2019re going to get there,\u00ab she says.
\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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Expensive IT project leaves Danish universities in limbo \u2014 University Post<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/expensive-it-project-leaves-danish-universities-in-limbo\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Expensive IT project leaves Danish universities in limbo \u2014 University Post\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A new IT system that is to transform study programme administration at Danish universities will finally begin its rollout in the summer of 2026. 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new administrative IT system will, according to a UCPH deputy director, \u00bbput the student at centre\u00ab. As of now, it is at least four and a half years behind schedule."},{"acf_fc_layout":"Standfirst","subject":"Digitalisation","text":"This is a story about what will follow","use_post_excerpt":true},{"acf_fc_layout":"Byline","is_author":true,"contributors":false},{"acf_fc_layout":"Content","content":"<p>A new shared study programme administration IT system for Danish universities has ended up DKK 480 million over budget and is now delayed by at least four and a half years. In 2023, the project was projected to cost DKK 1.2 billion.<\/p>\n<p>Minister for Higher Education and Science Christina Egelund (Moderates Party) attended a consultation Tuesday 1 April in the Danish parliament to give her account of the case which, back in November 2024, had <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rigsrevisionen.dk\/Media\/638669163249198034\/SR0424.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">triggered sharp criticism from the Danish National Audit Agency towards her ministry<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"factbox\">\n<p class=\"factbox-header feature-color\">New IT system<\/p>\n<p>Set to replace the current study programme administration IT solution used by Danish universities.<\/p>\n<p>Jointly managed by seven of eight Danish universities \u2013 Aarhus University opted for a different solution after the project was handed over to the universities.<\/p>\n<p>The University of Copenhagen (UCPH) expects to implement the system in summer 2026. Full use is scheduled for autumn 2027.<\/p>\n<p>The project has gone DKK 480 million over budget and is at least 4.5 years delayed. In 2023, the project was projected to cost DKK 1.2 billion.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The system has yet to be put into use \u2014 neither at the University of Copenhagen nor the six other universities involved (Aarhus University has opted out of the collaboration). But according to Rie Snekkerup, Deputy Director for Education at UCPH and a member of the national programme steering group for the IT project, progress is being made.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbWe are deep into development and design, and we expect the first university \u2014 Technical University of Denmark DTU \u2014 will start using the system in November this year. At UCPH, we anticipate implementation to begin in summer 2026, with full rollout in autumn 2027,\u00ab she says.<\/p>\n<h3>Promises better service<\/h3>\n<p>The new system is to replace the current study programme administration system, which dates back to the 1990s. It is used to manage data on students, including their academic progress and exam results.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbThe system we have today is stable and robust, but it is outdated. We are dreaming of a technological quantum leap that will make things easier for both students and our administrative staff,\u00ab says Rie Snekkerup.<\/p>\n<p>According to Snekkerup, the development of new and modern processes and improved support starts with replacing the system’s core structure. From there, the hope is that artificial intelligence will play a key role. The design of the new IT system, she explains, is based on a student-centric approach.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>The improvements we had looked forward to will take longer to arrive<\/p>\n<p class=\"quotee\">Rie Snekkerup, Deputy Director for Education at UCPH<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>\u00bbWe want to offer a service where students, for instance, can easily see their academic progress, apply for credit transfers digitally, or receive suggestions on how to structure their degree programme to achieve a specific competence profile. It\u2019s about user-friendliness and overview,\u00ab she says.<\/p>\n<p>Administratively, she also sees major potential. At present, data is often moved manually between systems and spreadsheets \u2014 a practice that, according to Snekkerup, is inefficient and error-prone. The new system aims to automate a number of workflows and create better data integration across the university.<\/p>\n<h3>UCPH: No consequences from delay \u2014 apart from stalled benefits<\/h3>\n<p>Although the system is several years delayed, it has not had any consequences in a traditional sense, according to Rie Snekkerup.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbStudents are still able to register for courses and take exams. But the improvements we had looked forward to will take longer to arrive. So the delay mainly means we have not yet reaped the benefits we had anticipated,\u00ab she says.<\/p>\n<p>She does acknowledge, however, that the old system causes frustration in practice.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbWe are well aware that many students, for example, set up Facebook groups to get an overview of their timetables, because our systems are not well integrated. This is one of the key areas where we hope for major improvements with the new system,\u00ab says Rie Snekkerup.<\/p>\n<h3>Ministry had to give up<\/h3>\n<p>The parliamentary consultation 1 April is after sharp criticism of the IT project from the national auditors. Their criticism particularly concerns the period when the project was managed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science, before the universities themselves took over responsibility in December 2021.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Now it\u2019s in our hands. That gives us new energy and a different pace<\/p>\n<p class=\"quotee\">Rie Snekkerup, Deputy Director for Education at UCPH<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>\u00bbIt\u2019s important to understand that the criticism refers to the time before the project was handed over to the universities. We were involved, but we weren\u2019t the ones calling the shots. Now we are \u2014 and that has made a difference,\u00ab says Rie Snekkerup.<\/p>\n<p>The Ministry of Higher Education and Science is also criticised for not having sufficiently monitored the project after it was transferred to the universities. \u2018Sharp criticism\u2019 is the second most severe category of censure that the National Audit Agency can issue.<\/p>\n<p>According to Rie Snekkerup, the universities have allocated more staff to the project in an effort to avoid further delays.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbNow it\u2019s in our hands. That gives us new energy and a different pace. That doesn\u2019t mean everything is easy. But there is momentum, and we\u2019re starting to see the outlines of a really strong system,\u00ab she says.<\/p>\n<h3>Risk of further delays?<\/h3>\n<p>When asked whether the system could face further delays \u2014 and additional costs \u2014 the answer is neither a clear yes nor no:<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbWith large IT projects, you can never be entirely sure. Unexpected issues can always arise. But we have contingency reserves and scenarios in place, and we are doing everything we can to stay on course. Right now, things are looking positive,\u00ab says Rie Snekkerup.<\/p>\n<p>She emphasises that the collaboration between the seven universities is working well, and that the relationship with the ministry \u2014 which still has a role in certain areas \u2014 is also satisfactory.<\/p>\n<p>Once the system is finally in place, Rie Snekkerup hopes it will become a cornerstone in creating a more digital and service-oriented university.<\/p>\n<p>\u00bbWe need to be able to offer students digital support, so they can focus their energy on academics, student life and learning \u2014 not on navigating convoluted systems. That is what we\u2019re aiming for. And even though it has taken a long time, I believe we\u2019re going to get there,\u00ab she says.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"ArticleEnd"},{"acf_fc_layout":"Newsletter","lang_select":"en","identifier":"Newsletter","headline":"Get an email with events at the University of Copenhagen and top stories","button_text":"Sign up here","class":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"OtherStories","headline":"","hand_picked_posts":false,"references":false,"category":false,"theme":false,"number_of_posts":"4","style":"default"}]},"taxonomyData":{"category":[{"term_id":48,"name":"Politics","slug":"politics","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":48,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":1035,"filter":"raw"}],"post_tag":[],"post_format":[],"expression":[{"term_id":15,"name":"News Article","slug":"news_article","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":15,"taxonomy":"expression","description":"","parent":0,"count":11487,"filter":"raw"}],"translation_priority":[{"term_id":5468,"name":"Optional","slug":"optional-en","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":5468,"taxonomy":"translation_priority","description":"","parent":0,"count":672,"filter":"raw"}]},"featured_media_url":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/arkivauditoriepaakua6-1280x853.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/175617","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/106"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=175617"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/175617\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":175626,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/175617\/revisions\/175626"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/104814"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=175617"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=175617"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniavisen.dk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=175617"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}