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March 2024 update

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Message from the Programme Director

Last updated March 12th 2024

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to the March edition of the monthly update.  Happy St Patrick’s Day, in advance!

This month, alongside our usual updates, we have  three interviews from inside projects. In the first, Peter McKiernan, Head of CRM Technologies, gives us a great insight into the University CRM Project Team and the significant contribution of IT Services to it.  At the heart of this is the collaborative nature of this project across several teams in UCD.

In the second, Lee O’Farrell, who has just joined the POST programme team (through funded projects), talks about two projects in the POST portfolio that are focused on students and the operations and services which support them.  

In the third, Lizanne Hutton from UCD Registry talks about her experience providing enhanced support for Colleges and Schools, in the academic governance of their programmes.  In partnership with our colleagues in IT Services, this has focused on the digital transformation of some key University processes. 

As usual, if you have any questions about the content of this update or any ideas you would like to share then please do not hesitate to get in touch at (opens in a new window)ucdpostpmo@ucd.ie.
Regards,
Michael

Projects in Focus

Mature Applicant Assessment Project
Mature Applicant Assessment Project

Following on from our update last month, the Director of Admissions & Strategic Enrolment in UCD Registry, Jill O'Mahony, presented an overview of the new process to College/ School representatives on the 29th February. Further presentations were also given to the Widening Participation Committee (7 March) and Student Recruitment Network (13 March).

Training sessions will be delivered in late March/ early April. The new assessment tool will be rolled out to programme areas from early April once the Admissions Team has finished working on its part of the assessment process. To learn more about this project, you can view the project profile by clicking here or email admissions@ucd.ie with any questions you may have.
Programme Development, Approval and Review Framework (PDARF) project
Programme Development, Approval and Review Framework (PDARF) project

This project, led by the Customer & Curriculum Operations Unit in Registry, aims to streamline and digitise the process for submitting and approving proposals for new and existing programmes. Final adjustments are being made on foot of feedback from user acceptance testing of PDARF2 / PDARF3 by members of the Steering Group.

We'll continue to keep you updated as the new functionality is made more widely available to Schools and Colleges. To learn more about this project, you can view the project profile by clicking here or email curriculum@ucd.ie with any questions you may have.

Supporting the Changing Needs of Students
Supporting the Changing Needs of Students

With the appointment of Lee O'Farrell as project manager, this project is officially underway. This project addresses the experience of students on flexible, offsite and not-for-award modes of study. It will identify opportunities to drive equity of access to UCD supports and services, resulting in a seamless experience for these learners and the faculty and staff who support them. It is noteworthy that more than 40% of our students are within these cohorts.

We are currently engaging with stakeholders across the UCD community to develop a deeper understanding of experiences and challenges in this space. If you are interested in sharing your experiences or finding out more, please contact Lee O'Farrell at lee.ofarrell@ucd.ie.
Parking Management Strategy
Parking Management Strategy

UCD Estates plans to establish and implement a parking guidance information system across the University. This system will work by relaying information to motorists about parking space availability at the start of their journey via website and local signage at car parks. This system will enable motorists to make informed decisions on transport choices to campus especially during periods of limited parking, potentially increasing active and sustainable travel to and from the University.

Currently, a business case is being prepared to support the project and we aim to provide further details over the coming months. For more information about this project, click here to view the project profile.
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Finance Programme for Operations and Services Transformation (FinPOST)
Finance Programme for Operations and Services Transformation (FinPOST)

FinPOST Validate workshops have begun and will continue into May. During these workshops, the programme team will work with UCD colleagues and the system integration partner to validate the design of our new processes and work towards configuring the new system for the UCD environment. Over this time, we will keep the community updated on our progress and we will be contacting you in the coming weeks and months with ways in which you can participate in the programme.

For further information about the programme, you can visit the FinPOST website. If you would like to get in touch with the programme team, you can email us on finpost@ucd.ie.

People in Focus

Lee O\'Farrell
Lee O'Farrell

Lee O'Farrell, the newest member of the UCD POST programme team, gives us an overview of the projects he is managing within the POST portfolio. Click here to read the interview in full.

Peter McKiernan
Peter McKiernan

Peter McKiernan, Head of CRM Technology gives us an insight into his team's involvement in the University CRM project. Click here to read the interview in full.

Lizanne Hutton
Lizanne Hutton

Lizanne Hutton, College & Curriculum Liaison Manager, UCD Registry gives an overview of the PDARF project and her role in it's success to date. Click here to read the interview in full.