Enhanced solutions that make the Erasmus+ administrative processes faster, more accessible, and more secure than ever
Words: Debora Lucque, European University Foundation
For the past two years, 13 higher education institutions, student organisations, student service providers, NRENs, and companies from all over Europe have been working together, under the framework of the so-called EDSSI L2 project, towards further progressing the digitalisation of the Erasmus+ and the European Student Card Initiative.
The European Digital Student Service Infrastructure Level 2 (EDSSI L2), a Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)-funded project, is enhancing and expanding the interoperable infrastructure previously developed by its predecessor, the EDSSI project, by elevating it to the next level. Propelled by the ambitious vision of complementing and enhancing the Erasmus+ digital eCard core infrastructure for a seamless mobility experience, the EDSSI L2 project intends to build bridges, break barriers, and brace benefits for the entire European Higher Education Area.
Building bridges
The project partners are deploying a virtual link that connects various Student eCard systems from different nations and regions of Europe. This endeavour ushers in a new era where it will be possible for Erasmus+ students to use their local eCards in any hosting institution, regardless of their type or geographical location. Once able to access the plethora of university services available, students will benefit from a better mobility experience.
Breaking barriers
Simplified and faster administrative processes in Erasmus+ require the elimination of unnecessary obstacles within the digital workflows. Enter new CEF building blocks in the infrastructure. In particular, the EDSSI L2 project aims to integrate the e-Signature CEF building block in the Online Learning Agreement so as to facilitate legal processes required for mobility management and support the administrative processes of student mobility.
Furthermore, the project partners are currently investigating the potential implementation of two additional building blocks, the eArchive and eTranslate, in the mobility management processes.
Bracing benefits
By further enhancing connections between the student service providers and tools of the Erasmus+ mobility environment, the EDSSI L2 project is bringing the available services, especially those of the host universities, closer to mobile students.
Events
The EDSSI L2 consortium offered a sneak peek into the main developments of the project at the EU Student eCard Stakeholders Forum which was held on 9-10 March in Venice. If you are interested in knowing more about the enhancement of the digital eCard infrastructure, we recommend you save the date for the EDSSI conference Volume 2 that will take place in Berlin on 27-28 June, 2023.
Who is behind EDSSI L2?
The EDSSI L2 project is led by Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HUB) and involves the following partners: European University Foundation, GÉANT Vereniging, University of Zagreb University Computing Centre (SRCE), Universitat de Barcelona, Aristotle University Of Thessaloniki, Swedish Research Council, European Council for Students Affairs, Eötvös Loránd University, Fondazione Ente Nazionale per il Diritto allo Studio e per i Servizi agli Studenti, Communauté d´Universités et Etablissements Normandie Université, European Youth Card Association, and Studierendenwerk Karlsruhe.
To stay updated with the latest news, visit the official website of the project at https://edssi.eu
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