Contact information
Anni Minin, anni.minin@ut.ee
Overall goals
The ENLIGHT alliance aims to advance digital transformation in higher education by fostering seamless interoperability and data exchange across institutions. Our goals include creating and testing new methods for international learning, collaboration, and research. Through an interconnected digital campus, we aim to enhance a modern and user-friendly digital learning environment, supported by flexible learning formats such as virtual, physical, blended mobility, and joint programs. By piloting practical use cases we seek to streamline administrative processes, reduce barriers for students, and enhance user experience. Participation in the Early Adopters program allows us to benchmark progress, co-develop standards, and contribute to shaping European frameworks for trusted, scalable interoperability.
Use Cases
Apply and get recognition (Use Case 2)
Baseline:
We have identified the necessary stakeholders within HEIs and are currently working to align the data elements to be included in standardised course descriptions across the institutions and different study formats. During the first six months of this year, we developed a new prototype to update the ENLIGHT course catalogue in terms of design, structure, content, and functionalities. We are now at the stage of gathering feedback on the prototype and planning a phased implementation.
These updates aim to make the catalogue not only a technical tool, but also a way to promote mobility and help students find and choose suitable study opportunities more easily. One of the key technical developments in the coming period is implementation of automatic user identification via EduGAIN. This will simplify authentication and registration processes for online courses and support Trusted Authentication Infrastructure, a key component of the framework. Additionally, we are developing a new module to facilitate structured exchange of application data between host and home universities for online courses. Currently, this process is handled manually.
Goal:
We aim to implement a modern and user-friendly course catalogue that enhances mobility across our partner HEIs and, in particular, facilitates vertical mobility between bachelor`s and master`s programmes through a planned pilot project by the University of Groningen and Ghent University.
Work plan:
Finalization of the revised content for the new course catalogue version, followed by phased implementation
Ongoing testing to enable student authentication via EduGAIN (with the aim to launch in time for spring semester 2026 registration for virtual mobility)
Analysis of technical possibilities for applying a common classification (ISCED) to all ENLIGHT courses across the participating HEIs
VM: Mapping of existing bachelor–master pathways across ENLIGHT partner universities
VM: Identifying curricular gaps and bottlenecks for vertical mobility integration
VM: Coordinating with faculties and student services for phased implementation and evaluation
Standards to be used:
OOAPI v5 (Open Education API) – standardized connection for exchanging course data between HEIs and feeding the ENLIGHT course catalogue.
ISCED Fields of Education and Training (ISCED-F-2013)
Access tools (Use Case 3)
Baseline:
At present, we don`t have a structured or automated format for exchanging learning outcomes between universities. Grades are still transferred manually.
We are currently planning to develop a new module (admin page) to facilitate the structured exchange of application data between host and home universities for online courses.
Goal:
We aim to enable the structured exchange of achieved learning outcomes and recognition data between home and host universities.
Work plan:
Mapping the needs and identifying the specific data that must be shared between universities
Identifying gaps and differences between universities and their systems
Designing the structure and technical requirements for the exchange module
Developing and testing the admin page for structured data exchange
Standards to be used:
Erasmus+ and EWP (Erasmus Without Paper) templates – important for credit recognition and joint programmes in ENLIGHT
EDCI (European Digital Credentials Infrastructure) – for recording learning achievements in verifiable, portable formats
User identity (Use Case 7)
Baseline:
One of the key technical developments in the coming period is the implementation of automatic user identification via EduGAIN. This will simplify student identification and registration process for online courses. Based on their role at the home university, students will be identified, and the same credentials will be valid across partner universities` study systems.
We are currently updating the privacy policy of the course catalogue to reflect the new registration and data processing procedures, ensuring that students receive full information about the use of their personal data and the purposes for which it is processed.
Goal:
Between partner universities, a student’s status is generally identified and recognised, and with their own account the student can, if needed, also access the study information systems of other universities.
Work plan:
Updating the privacy policy and completing the general approval process
Developing the technical solution for virtual course registration using EduGAIN authentication
Storing application form data in an admin page accessible to designated study coordinators at each partner university
Standards to be used:
General personal data processing regulations such as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Code of Conduct
User Identity Standard: Ensure compatibility with eduGAIN / eIDAS for federated login and cross-border recognition