Interoperable service creates equality in student mobility
The EXAM consortium modified the common practices promoting equality for the EXAM visit service. Student mobility is constantly growing, and this highlights the need for equal services for all students. Interoperable service means not only the technical fluency of the systems, but also the instructions and processes so that the experience is functional and equal for the students, regardless of the institution of higher education.
The term interoperability is generally equated with dialogue between systems. It is thought that when data travels smoothly from one system to another, we can talk about successful interoperability. In principle, however, there is always a service around the systems, which creates a framework for the use of the system and connects it to a wider service entity or service path. The mere smooth flow of information between systems is not enough, for example, when considering student mobility.
When a student completes studies included in his or her degree elsewhere than in his or her home university, this is called student mobility (OKSA – teaching and education vocabulary, 3rd edition). The service supporting student mobility must be designed so that it is consistent regardless of the institution of higher education, and so that the student’s instructions are clear and consistent. At this point, my text will certainly make more people nod in the affirmative.
I believe that in many organizations things have been thought through quite well up to this point and the processes are thought to be in order. But how is equality taken into account? Have the processes been designed in such a way that the various needs of reasonable adaptation have been taken into account and their responsibility for implementation has been identified?
Case: EXAM consortium practices and equality
CSC has been the supplier of the digital examination system EXAM since the beginning of the EXAM consortium’s operations in 2014. The purpose of CSC’s expert service is to support the activities of the consortium formed by 28 Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences.
In August 2024, the support was really needed. The EXAM consortium received the following reasoning in the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman’s statement, regarding the exam visit service offered by 24 Finnish higher education institutions:
“The Non-Discrimination Act obliges higher education institutions to make reasonable adjustments (Non-Discrimination Act, section 15, paragraph 1). In national services, the student must be able to participate equally in the offered studies and services. Failure to do so may result in discrimination prohibited by the Non-Discrimination Act.”
Until that, the EXAM consortium had outlined in its agreement that the university, whose exam space the student uses to take the exam, is not obliged to arrange individual arrangements for the student of another university.
However, the position of the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman called this policy into question and called on the consortium to take measures to promote equality.
Understanding the terminology of equality
From the very beginning, the activities of the EXAM consortium have been based on common policies and guidelines that each member university applies to its own processes. So we were not unfamiliar with the situation when we set out to draw up the requested action plan.
First, the terminology had to be clarified: what is meant by reasonable adaptation and how is the individual arrangement different from this? Reasonable accommodation is a disability-based measure required by law, while an individual arrangement may be more extensive, e.g. an arrangement related to a life situation for a student.
Reasonable adjustment always involves case-by-case consideration, but in principle its implementation should always be possible or an alternative implementation should be available. Reasonable adjustments to the exam space may include, for example, unobstructed access to the exam point, an electronically adjustable table and adjustable chair, the possibility to take medical aids or snacks in the exam space, and allowing the use of personal aids related to hearing and seeing in the exam situation. In addition to these, the EXAM system can allow for extended exam time or splitting the exam into several parts.
EXAM consortium actions to achieve equality
The action plan prepared by the EXAM consortium contained three main points:
- Updating the clause
- Establishing common processes and guidelines
- Determining the baseline of reasonable adjustments
During the spring of 2025, the consortium was able to implement all the elements of the action plan, and all that remains is to implement the processes and instructions into the higher education institutions. It is not enough to have the plans on paper; they must also be put into use.
From the point of view of the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman, the matter was also closed. The EXAM consortium was praised especially for its active promotion and good cooperation.
Equality is a joint issue
Student mobility will increase. Universities must plan their services and processes with due regard to the Non-Discrimination Act. If that is not the case yet, it is high time to get to work.
Of course, each higher education institution bears the responsibility for its own processes, but it is more than advisable to make use of national networks and cooperation partners. The fact that the processes and guidelines are jointly drafted provides interoperability across university boundaries, facilitates the completion of studies and reduces the administrative burden.
The EXAM consortium serves as an example of how creating common practices can make a clear and functional service that is understandable and equal to the student.
Ulriika Vihervalli
Ulriika Vihervalli coordinates open science projects in CSC’s international collaborations and strategic partnerships unit.
