Case Study: Utrecht University improves cross-border collaboration with SURF

Utrecht University streamlines CHARM-EU collaboration with SURF across 9 partners

The customer Utrecht University, as part of the CHARM-EU alliance, faced significant challenges in enabling seamless collaboration across its nine partner institutions in eight different countries. The diverse IT systems, national regulations, and operational practices complicated efforts to run a joint master's programme, creating barriers in areas like student data sharing, authentication, and digital diploma signing. The vendor SURF collaborated with the university to address these interoperability issues.

SURF worked with Utrecht University to implement pragmatic solutions, such as developing hybrid classrooms and exploring the use of the Open Education API for data automation. They utilized the HERM capability model to build a common language and framework for IT collaboration, which led to the creation of a shared support structure called the Joint Virtual IT Office. This SURF-supported approach allowed the alliance to effectively pool expertise across borders, creating a more seamless student experience and establishing a testing ground for IT innovation in international education.

Utrecht University