Centralised development projects 2021

Main Activities:

1) Sharing experiences with changes in forms of teaching (especially with regard to the current needs of distance learning) in the context of quality assurance among HEIs (joint meetings and seminars, sharing results of student surveys, sharing experiences from accreditation process, producing documents for individual HEIs)

2) Creation of a proposal for a unified terminology for describing and defining forms of teaching and studying (comparative analysis of internal regulations and methodologies of HEIs, review of terminology on the national framework, expert analysis of foreign approaches)

3) Creation of draft standards of quality of educational activities for individual forms of study and forms of teaching (comparative analysis of internal regulations and methodologies of HEIs, review of European and foreign approaches, etc.)

4) Creation of an analysis of the current legislative framework for forms of study (activities of working groups in cooperation with the NAU and the Ministry of Education)

5) Participation in foreign conferences and workshops on issues of teaching and study forms (EUA, ENQA, etc.), visits to foreign HEIs to learn about good practice

Project outputs:

1) Comparative analysis of HEIs' experience with different forms of teaching (especially distance learning) within the structure of study programmes in the context of quality assurance of educational activities (curriculum, staffing, facilities and study conditions), description of specifications according to the focus of the HEI and according to the areas of education

2) Proposal for a unified terminology for the description and definition of forms of teaching and study suitable for implementation at national level, including methodological recommendations for implementation based on the practice of the HEI

3) Proposal of quality standards of educational activities for individual forms of study and forms of teaching taking into account the specifics of the VŠPJ and relevant areas of education, including methodological recommendations at the level of the VŠPJ

4) Analysis of the current legislative framework of forms of study at the national (Higher Education Act, government regulations) and university level (internal regulations of HEIs) with regard to the current needs of innovation in educational activities

The project Optimization and automation of EIS processes in the network of universities is a follow-up project of the centralized development project C6 Sustainable development of EIS in the network of universities addressed in 2020 by the same group of all public universities in the Czech Republic. The proposed project develops and refines the results of the 2020 project in the context of the current 2021 priorities.

 Universities involved in the project identified the need to minimize the administrative burden on university staff in line with Priority Goal 6 of the Ministry of Education's Strategic Plan for Higher Education for 2021. Meeting new  requirements set by generally binding legislation, changing guidelines of state administration authorities, requirements to meet cyber security as well as  persistent inconsistency in reporting requirements of different grant providers are the reason for the continuously increasing administrative burden on all HEI staff.

 The proposed project is a partial contribution by the colleges to combat the increasing administrative burden by optimizing critical locations and automating economic information processing processes using existing but improved components of the colleges' existing information systems. The subject of the project is the analysis of needs (identification of improvement opportunities), the design of SW or HW support solution options using standardized modules of economic and operational systems (specification) and the implementation of necessary SW modifications  or HW additions with verification of the benefits of the changes in pilot operation (development and validation).

 The project will respect the different starting conditions of the universities involved in the project by logical groups (sections) based on good practice from similar projects in previous years. Transparency and information sharing between the sections will be ensured by the project coordinator. 

 The objectives and priorities of this project do not overlap with other HEI projects, but rather complement the range of tasks to be addressed.

The main objective of the project is to reduce the burden of unnecessary administration on HEI staff through technical means and organisational measures.

The target state to be achieved by the project solution is mainly the technical evaluation of the economic and administrative ERP systems, the optimization of data flows and the automation of process superstructures in priority areas.

This process is continuous and never-ending - taking into account permanent changes in legislation and/or technology advancement.

Part 1: Process optimization and computerization

Outputs:

(O)  General changes to EIS applications - optimising frequent acquisition procedures, data retrieval, avoiding manual overwriting of selected critical metadata between applications and associated error reduction.

Adjustments to speed up and simplify selected lengthy processing procedures.

(U)  Optimization of the process of posting of source documents, posting controls, processing of accounting documents and the ability to search for related transactions

(R)  Optimization of the process of publishing contracts and orders in the ISRS

(T)  Optimization of the process of document/report creation, storage and use of attachments in the document repository

(S)  Optimization of work with economic documents and files in the Document Management Service

(N) Optimisation and increased security of integration interfaces

(C)  Increasing the pervasiveness and security of the document repository

Part 2: Process Automation

Outputs:

(I)  Automatic document creation based on MS office templates (customization of output documents without third party tools

(D)  Automatic document creation based on MS office templates (customization of output documents without third party tools)

(M)  Revision of asset registration functionalities and processing automation - bulk changes, scheduled batch operations

(H)  Support for bulk operations

(E)  Expansion and improvement of electronically provided services

(Z)  Expansion of contract and project planning services

(L)  Support automation for local and specific processes of individual HEIs

Main activities of the project:

1) Strengthening and expanding the network of partner HEIs, engaging other public HEIs (and other entities) and deepening cooperation with existing engaged entities

2) Active contribution to the central database mapping the popularization activities of the involved entities in the whole Czech Republic

3) Preparation and realization of the Night of Scientists 2021 and activities related to it (coordination of departments, creation of the programme, promotion of the event inside and outside the university towards target groups, etc. Furthermore, activities related to contributing to the success of the event at the national level - cooperation within the entire communication platform. 

4) Preparation for participation in other popularization events of national character, based on the methodology developed in the previous follow-up project (e.g. science festival, science week, science fair), preparation of popularization events of smaller character with regional impact (evenings with scientists, popularization workshops, etc.) 

5) Activities related to organisation of own popularisation activities, or participation in popularisation events organised by other entities (e.g. CAS, other universities, or in cooperation with other entities in the region). 

6) Active participation in 2 national conferences, including participation in professional trainings held within the conferences.

7) oparticipation in the extension of the possibilities and functionalities of the central web portal of the Night of Scientists of the Czech Republic, including the elaboration of the subpages of the participating HEIs based on the identified needs of the target groups (see the elaborated analysis).

8) Co-participation in the extension and optimization of the Night of Scientists mobile application (for Android and iOS systems) connected to the central Night of Scientists website based on the identified needs of target groups (see prepared analysis).

9) Active participation in providing translations of programme items into English and creating an English version of the Night of Scientists website including the mobile app linked to it

10) Preparation of themes, scenarios, content, visualization and creation of specific new online and offline elements for the presentation of science (video, audio, podcasts, stream, chat, blog, etc.).

11) Active participation in filling the content of the linked central website of the Night of Scientists (nocvedcu.cz) with the website of the Universitas (universitas.cz) magazine of universities, active collaboration with editors of Universitas magazine and regular contribution and sharing of articles and interviews with scientists, etc.

12) Collaboration on the documentation to meet the European Commission (EC) conditions for the re-inclusion of the Czech Scientists' Night in the official EC channels and the map of the pan-European Scientists' Night. 

13) Preparation of materials and selection of appropriate channels and networks for online promotion, which will be used to analyse the needs and satisfaction of target groups in the online environment (graphics, texts, needs of individual institutions, etc.) + subsequent evaluation of the data obtained and processing of the resulting analysis.

14) Procurement of a set of promotional items in a uniform visual style. 

15) Active participation in external training or implementation of own training in order to increase the competence of team members in the field of popularization of science and creative activities. A trip to the university with a sophisticated strategy for popularization and promotion of science, sharing know how and experience. 

Project Outputs:

1) Expanded and effectively managed functional communication platform for Czech universities (and other entities) in the field of popularization of science, research and creative activities.  

2) Creation of a database of popularization events of national and regional character of participating institutions.

3) Implementation of the Night of Scientists 2021 and other popularization events of national and regional character in the region and beyond.

4) Participation in 2 national conferences for systematic cooperation, effective communication, sharing of experience and coordination of participating HEIs in preparation of the Night of Scientists and other popularization activities in the country.

5) Expanding the capabilities and functionalities of the central web portal of the Night of Scientists in the Czech Republic (nocvedcu.cz), including the mobile application connected to it.

6) English version of the programme offer of the Czech Night of Scientists web portal (nocvedcu.cz) including the mobile application connected to it.

7) Expansion of the programme offer with new on-line and off-line formats for the presentation of science, research and creative activities.  

8) Linking, joint presentation of science and mutual support of the portals nocvedcu.cz and universitas.cz.

9) Confirmation of the important position of NV in the Czech Republic on the map of European organizers of the Night of Scientists.

10) Analysis of target groups' preferences through targeted nationwide on-line promotion.

11) Creation of promotional items in a uniform visual style for participants of the Night of Scientists and other popularisation events.

12) Professional training to increase the competences of the involved organizational teams in the field of popularization of science and research.

The HEIs cooperation project reflects the priority theme b) computerization of HEIs' administrative agenda and at the same time is influenced by the needs of HEIs to provide education and to address new situations that arose during the covid-19 pandemic.
Information systems are key tools in the implementation of educational activities of schools. The covid-19 pandemic has tested the readiness of schools to adapt to the new situation and to go online for a period of time, while at the same time revealing weaknesses in dealing with critical situations and changing external conditions. This enabled a relatively precise definition of which areas to develop.
The project will therefore focus on 5 areas in the technical development of IS. The first priority task was to start preparations for the development of identity management. In line with the thematic focus, the development of the admissions process will also be pursued, not only in the area of supply and demand for studies, but also in areas that were previously conducted in a face-to-face manner, such as enrolment, etc. The thematic focus will also be continued in the development of the computerisation of documents and their life cycle in the ISs. In the previous areas, legal obligations (Act No. 500/2004, 297/2016, 499/2004 and Regulation (EU) No. 910/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council) play a role, specifically in e-signing, delivery or connection to the filing service. In the area of accreditation, the project plans to innovate the electronic preparation of applications based on the experience after the introduction of the basic rules given by the 2016 amendment to the Higher Education Act. An important area is the development of electronic support for the provision of formerly face-to-face events such as online meetings of bodies, meetings of academic collectives, voting, elections, information gathering and evaluation or staff training (Labour Code 262/2006).
The development will be implemented with modern ICT and for use on mobile devices.

Outputs of the sub-project:

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1. Monitoring the current state of readiness for the implementation of trusted identity verification and exchange of experiences with participating schools regarding the preparation of trusted identity verification options (V1)
2. Electronification of the admission procedure concerning foreign students taking the Czech language admission exam (V2)
3. Revision of the document management system (V3)
4. Mapping and analysis of the new needs of our school in the field of accreditation 4 years after the amendment of the Higher Education Act (V4)
5. Comparison of the possibilities of applications related to quality in education for further development of the computerization of our school (V5)
6. Participating in joint seminars and engaging in consultations on individual school outcomes and model solutions (V1-V5)
7. Comparison of sub-outcomes to achieve application in practice (V1-V5)
8. Final evaluation of the project and preparation of a final report (V1-V5)

Main activities:

1. Invitation in e-application (administration) and test in e-learning of the foreigner.
2. Creation of a new system for document filing and management.
3. Implementation analysis and design of ER model for changes in accreditation module in IS.
4. Methodology for designing and processing the integration of centrally tracked data (penetration rate, number of graduates) into the quality management and performance system.
5. Participation in joint seminars, comparison of partial solutions and outputs.

Project objective:
The objective of the project is to develop methodologies and procedures for increasing the level of cybersecurity at public universities in the Czech Republic, which will reflect the needs and capabilities of individual schools. This will also include preparation for meeting the obligations for operators and administrators of major information systems under the ZoKB, the creation of a system for awareness and education of staff and students in the field of cybersecurity, as well as security recommendations for collaborative and distance learning environments in HEIs. Due to the diversity of HEIs, variant solutions will be prepared to enable the deployment of recommended practices and methodologies according to the needs of individual HEIs.
Target groups:
- Cybersecurity teams and managers of HEIs
- Management of HEIs
- Administrators and operators of infrastructure and information systems

- Employees
- Students
- Authorities and public authorities to whom schools have obligations

Main Activities/Working Groups:
1. Setting up a secure cyber environment for the university (coordinated by MU - Department of Computer Science).
Recommendations and procedures for setting up a basic level of security for the cyber environment of a public university based on "best practices" techniques with an impact on the internal regulations of the HEI.
2. Preparation for the fulfilment of obligations for administrators and operators of significant information systems (coordinator of the CTU). Addressing the issue of Significant Information Systems in the context of Czech public universities and in cooperation with NUCIB. Preparation of model documents and procedures for the fulfilment of obligations of administrators and operators of significant information systems according to Act No. 181/2014 Coll.
3. Awareness of users (coordinator MU - Institute of Computer Technology). Tools for increasing users' situational awareness in the field of cyber security.
4. Institutional training of university employees in cyber security (coordinator of the MU). Design and implementation of a model e-learning course on cybersecurity for HEI staff and its adaptation for platforms and systems of mandatory staff training in the environment of individual universities.
5. Cybersecurity in collaborative and distance learning environments of HEIs (UPOL coordinator) Security analysis of distance learning and collaboration tools, and recommendations for their safe deployment and use with respect to the needs and processes of the university environment.
6. Automatic vulnerability scanning (HEI coordinator)
7. Legal analysis and legal support for working groups (coordinator MU - Department of Law and Technology PraF).

7.

Project outputs:
- Detailed analysis of the cybersecurity situation at individual HEIs as a basis
for determining further measures.
- Analysis and identification of significant information systems in the context of the university environment in
cooperation with NUCIB and in accordance with the Decree on significant information systems and their determining criteria (Decree No. 317/2014 Coll.).
- Recommendations and procedures for fulfilling the obligations for operators and administrators of significant information systems at HEIs.
- Methodologies, personnel and procedural framework for setting up security within the university cyber environment and their adaptation to the environment of individual project partners.
- Web tool for dissemination of cybersecurity awareness at HEIs and plans for its dissemination and active use at HEIs.
- Development and deployment of e-courses for systematic institutional training of HEI staff in cybersecurity.
- Recommendations and practices for promoting cybersecurity in collaborative and distance learning environments of HEIs.