As a member of the Student Systems team, you know the importance of integrating different systems to create a seamless student experience. In today's fast-paced, digital world, it's important to leverage technology to provide prospective applicants with the resources they need to succeed. This is where Tribal Engage comes in. Tribal Engage is a mobile app that integrates with SITS and eVision, to provide a comprehensive platform for student engagement.

These days, more than 1 in 4 students will disclose a mental health problem of one type or another to their university - and encouragingly, they are increasingly seeking help and support. However, this means the internal pressure on university support services has never been higher, with many systems collapsing due to caseload overload.” 
 

Anyone working at a university understands the institutional goal of providing students with the resources and support they need to succeed both academically and personally. However, if students feel unsupported, their mental health may suffer, leading to dropping out or transferring to another institution. We undertook a study, State of the Nation Report on Student Mental Health in Higher Education, which suggests that sector-wide reporting issues may hinder efforts to effectively address mental health issues among students, ultimately contributing to student attrition. 

For any higher education institution, one of the top priorities is ensuring that the right IT systems are in place to support academic and administrative operations. However, an increasingly critical area that demands attention is students' mental health and well-being. Transparent reporting on mental health is a key issue that universities must address to support students who need it effectively. 

As a university registrar, your primary responsibility is to ensure that your institution operates effectively and efficiently. However, there is a growing (and critical) need to address the mental health of your students because this is contributing to an alarming rate of student attrition. One of the main issues preventing us from addressing this problem is a lack of transparent reporting on mental health data, which is why we must prioritise breaking the stigma that still exists around disclosing mental health issues - despite a decade of progress thanks to campaigns from organisations like Student Minds, MIND, UCAS etc. Also, there are significant data gaps and inaccuracies caused by reporting challenges - partly as a result of the sensitive nature of the data in question, but also due in no small part to inadequacies in data capture, analysis, and monitoring processes and capabilities. 

As an education professional, you understand the importance of ensuring that your university's students receive the care and attention they need to thrive academically and personally. At the same time, you also appreciate the critical role that marketing plays in attracting new students to your institution. What if there was a way to combine these two areas, leveraging your wellbeing provision to supercharge student recruitment? Let's look at how this can help attract new students and provide key considerations for your support and marketing teams. 

The role of the Academic Registrar covers a vast array of responsibilities, but your main day-to-day concerns would typically be focused on the following key areas: 

As technology continues to evolve and become more integral to higher education, Chief Information Officers (CIOs) play a critical role in ensuring that their institutions keep up with the latest trends and maintain a competitive edge. However, keeping up with the latest technology can be expensive, and many institutions find themselves accumulating technical debt over time. Technical debt refers to the cost of maintaining and updating outdated systems and infrastructure, and it can be a significant challenge for CIOs. In this blog post, we will discuss how a higher education CIO can transform technical debt within their institution. 

Assess the Current State of Technology 
The first step in transforming technical debt within an institution is to assess the current state of technology. This includes understanding the current systems in place, their limitations, and identifying the areas where improvements are needed. A thorough assessment should also consider the institution's long-term goals and the technology required to achieve them. This assessment will provide the foundation for developing a plan to address technical debt and move the institution forward. 

Develop a Strategic Plan 
Once the current state of technology has been assessed, the CIO must develop a strategic plan for addressing technical debt. The plan should prioritise the areas that require the most attention, including systems that are at the end of their useful life, or those that are causing the most significant maintenance issues. The plan should also take into account the institution's budget and prioritise improvements that provide the most significant return on investment. 

Implement an IT Governance Framework 
To effectively manage technical debt, it is essential to have a robust IT governance framework in place. This framework should establish clear policies and procedures for managing technology within the institution. This includes policies for acquiring and retiring systems, as well as guidelines for system maintenance and upgrades. By implementing an IT governance framework, the institution can ensure that technology decisions are aligned with the institution's strategic goals and are made with transparency and accountability. 

Invest in Modernisation 
Investing in modernisation is critical for reducing technical debt within an institution. This may involve upgrading systems to newer technologies, migrating legacy systems to the cloud, or consolidating systems to reduce complexity. Modernisation can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the institution's technology systems and reduce maintenance costs over time. It can also improve the user experience for students, faculty, and staff, making it easier to accomplish their work and achieve their goals. 

Collaborate with Stakeholders 
Finally, collaboration with stakeholders is essential for transforming technical debt within an institution. This includes working with faculty and staff to identify their technology needs and ensuring that technology solutions meet their requirements. It also involves collaborating with other departments within the institution, such as finance and operations, to ensure that technology decisions are aligned with the institution's overall goals and budget. 

 
In conclusion, transforming technical debt within a university context requires a strategic approach that prioritises modernization, IT governance, collaboration, and a thorough understanding of the institution's technology landscape. With the right plan and leadership, a CIO can lead their institution towards a more effective and efficient technology environment that supports the institution's mission and goals.