HDR Systems Improvements Project

The Opportunity

Currently HDR candidature application assessment occurs in the iGRad ColRec process and scholarship application assessment is supported by various spreadsheet driven processes.

Different tools and processes for HDR scholarship and candidature assessment creates key problems like duplication of data entry and lack of process visibility. These manifest as slow assessment progress, assessment process errors, staff inefficiencies and frustration.

The Solution

Providing greater transparency of scholarship applications and assessments, including dashboards and reportable data.

Resolving inefficiencies associated with duplication of data entry, management of spreadsheets, and lack of progress visibility.

Ultimately supporting the University of Tasmania strategic focus on being a world class research-led university, and the University lean initiative.

What are we delivering

A solution that streamlines the assessment of scholarship and candidature applications within the iGRad ColRec process.

A solution for School and College Assessment Committee members to complete HDR scholarship application assessments in iGRad.

A solution with flexibility to support varying College level processes.

Dashboards displaying applications, assessment, offers and commencement of RTP / TGRS, External and Donor Scholarships.

Delivering a solution that enables the deprecation of spreadsheets currently supporting scholarship assessment processes.

Making scholarship assessment information more accessible for reporting.

What does it mean for me – Supervisors, Graduate Research Co-ordinators and Heads of School

Minimal to no impact on how current HDR application assessments are completed in iGRad.

Ability to populate preliminary HDR scholarship assessment information in iGRad.

Visibility of which HDR applications are being assessed for which HDR scholarships in iGRad.

Visibility of which HDR applications are being assessed for which advertised projects in iGRad.

Visibility of HDR scholarship assessment progress in iGRad.

Shorter end to end times to complete HDR scholarship and candidature application assessments.

What does it mean for me – School and College Assessment Committee Members

HDR Scholarship assessments will be completed in iGRad instead of spreadsheets.

Visibility of which HDR applications are being assessed for which HDR scholarships.

Visibility of which HDR applications are being assessed for which advertised projects.

Increased visibility of HDR scholarship assessment where an application is being assessed for multiple scholarships.

Increased information available for the assessment of HDR scholarship applications.

Key Dates

On track for piloting in April 2020.

On track for full release in June 2020. This date will be refined and communicated in the first quarter of 2020.

Roll out and training

Piloting will be completed in a COSE School and the CALE College. This will provide valuable real time feedback that can be incorporated into the solution before the full release.

To support different College processes, training will be delivered by the Graduate Research Office on a College by College basis.