UNIC_Virtual Campus

UNIC Virtual campus is an information system intended for the exchange of data and the implementation of specific business processes within the European University of Post-Industrial Cities - UNIC. University of Zagreb is one of ten partner universities in this alliance. University Computing Centre (Srce) is a part of the University of Zagreb, and is in charge of building the UNIC virtual campus.

For more detailed information about the UNIC Virtual Campus and its current state of development, feel free to browse through the UNIC VC presentation (modified: April, 2023) and read the UNIC VC Handbook.

Basic definition and facts

What is it? 

UNIC Virtual Campus is an information system consisting of a central database (central register) and several web applications and application programming interfaces (APIs). 

Where is it?

UNIC Virtual Campus is at unic.srce.hr.

What will it serve for?

Firstly, it will cover the mobility of students and virtual student cards. Later on, it will connect research activity information as well. 

Who is building it?

University of Zagreb, primarily University Computing Centre (SRCE). 

How is it funded?

Initial phase of development is funded through UNIC and UNIC4ER projects. 

Everyday maintenance, superadmin tasks and further development funding should be discussed. 

Where will it be stored and running?

On the servers of the University Computing Centre, University of Zagreb. There are two data centres with a shared virtualization platform for redundancy. 

How will users interact with the Virtual Campus?

Mostly through the web applications of the Virtual Campus, but some data could be imported or obtained through APIs. Web applications will cover all the functions of APIs, and more. 

Abbreviations

VC - Virtual Campus (UNIC Virtual Campus Information system)

SMS - Student Management System (a local information system containing data about students, courses, teachers, exams, etc.)

LMS - Learning Management System (a local information system containing data about courses, learning materials, exams, etc.)

IdP - Identity Provider (authorization and authentication infrastructure used for storing and verification of electronic identities of students and staff at the university)

Requirements

Here are some of the recognized prerequisites needed for functioning of VC.

• IdP has to participate in eduGAIN.
• Students have to have ESI (European Student Identifier).
• GDPR consents have to be written in order to be built into applications, to ensure that all participants give their consent to use their data. 
• VC uses ECTS grades (A-F). When communicating with VC, all local marks should be converted to ECTS marks and vice versa.
• Data is owned by UNI of origin:
  • student data is owned by a student home UNI
  • course data is owned by UNI offering a course, as well as data about students taking part in the course and exams.

Process

Course catalog

Course enrollment

Course ending and grades

Joint programmes catalog

Student Card Issue

Student Card Verification

Invalidating the UNIC Student Status