The Integration of Digital Solutions for Doctoral Examinations
1. The Integration of Digital Solutions
for Doctoral Examinations
Evelyn Lin
UNNC
March 2024
2. Contents
I. Introduction to the University and Graduate School
II. The background of Digital Solutions
III. The implementation of Digital Solutions
IV. Impact of Digital Solutions
5. An economic hub of
southern Yangtze River
Delta
The birthplace of the
7,000 years old Hemudu
culture
Ningbo ranked 10th In
China’s Top 100
technology innovation
cities in 2021
The capital of oriental
civilization and the living
monument to the past
interactions along the
ancient silk road
An international port city
with the world’s biggest
cargo handling port
A city of culture and a gateway to the world
Ningbo is located on China's eastern seaboard, a two-hour train ride south of Shanghai, convenient for travel in and outside of
China. It is a rapidly growing city with more than eight million people and a 7,000 year old history, allowing visitors to embrace
both an exciting and culturally stimulating city.
Where
we
are
Our City - Ningbo
6. Shanghai
Ningbo
Ranking of China‘s cities with a trillion GDP in 2022
(unit: Billion RMB)
Ningbo GDP in 2023 is about 228.44 BUSD,
close to the GDP of New Zealand (241.9 BUSD)
Where
we
are
4465.28
4161.09
3238.77
2912.9
2883.9
2395.83
2081.75
1886.64
1875.3
1690.79
1631.13
1670.43
1492.08
1485.08
1396.61
1293.47
1269.84
1230.82
1210.3
1202.75
1201.31
1148.65
1137.96
1120.03
7. who
we
are
The first
Sino-foreign
university in
China
Achieved its
goal of giving
students the
“Nottingham
experience”
accredited by
QAA in 2013
Ranked 55th in
ARWU “Best
Chinese
Universities”
Ranking, out of
over 2,000 HE
institutions in
2019
21 members of
staff were listed
in the “World
Top 2%
Scientists”
released by
Stanford
University in
2023
Recruited only
top 7% of
students
through
Chinese
Gaokao
examination
Staff and
students
are from
over 70
countries
and regions
of the world
UK-China Edu. Co. Accreditation Ranking in China Top 2% scientists Chinese students
recruitment
Staff nationalities
8. What
we
do
Centre for English
Language Education
One of the largest
English language
teaching centres in the
world.
Nottingham
University Business
School China
An elite global
business school which
is accredited by
EQUIS and AACSB.
Faculty of Humanities
and Social Sciences
The Language
Teaching Centre is
accredited by the
Chartered Institute of
Linguistics.
Faculty of Science
and Engineering
The Engineering
discipline has been
listed in the top 0.32%
of ESI global rankings.
Graduate School
Carriers out joint
doctoral training
programmes with well-
known domestic
universities and
research institutions.
CELE NUBS FHSS FOSE GS
9. UNNC's PhD programme
obtained approval from MoE in
Dec, 2008. We recruited our
first batch of students in 2009.
The International Doctoral
Innovation Centre (IDIC) is
established in 2012.
Establishment of Doctoral
Training Partnerships (DTPs)
since September 2017.
PhD annual enrollment
number increased from 75 to
225.
10th year anniversary.
600+ Postgraduate
Research (PGR) students.
12 DTP programmes.
370 Publication.
Nearly 900
Postgraduate Research
(PGR) students.
17 DTP programmes.
2012
2019
now
2008
&
2009
2017
UNNC Graduate School
11. Background
• Remote Research and Lab
Work
• Limited Collaboration
Opportunities
• Limited Access to
Resources
• Increasing number of PhD
students
• Delayed Progress and
Graduation
• Academic Advising and
Lifecycle Support
• Thesis and Dissertation
Defense
Externally related
challenges
Internally related
challenges
12. Background
Demands from the office
Lack of resources
Increasing number of
enquires
Increasing demands
of data analysis for
decision making
Role on overseeing
the processes
Pain points in operation
Increasing number of
students/processes
Difficulty in analysis
and review
The process is not
transparent
De-centralized
management
University strategy
Tri-campus principles Local digitalisation development
14. Progression examination and Viva Examination
• Supervision record via university portal (BPM)
• Examiners appointment via university portal (BPM)
• Storage of doctoral thesis (Research Information System)
Doctoral Examination and Digital Solutions
15. The implementation of Digital Solutions
Started from late 2019
Focus on quickly achievable quick wins
The first two digital projects
1. Supervision record project
2. Progression review(Annual review) project
18. Student info on Nomination Form will
be taken from the database and
Notification Form submitted directly.
The Notification Form submitted by the students
will trigger the Examiner Nomination Form for
the Head without any delay.
The Portal will generate a Conflict of Interest check
page for candidates, by taking examiner appointment
from the Examiner Nomination Form immediately
after it is fully approved.
University Portal (BPM) for Examiner Appointment
19. Storage of Doctoral Thesis (RIS)
Research output and thesis etc. PGR Student Thesis Reporting
21. Impact of Digital Solutions
MRes students
Professional doctoral student
PhD students
Student
portal
Supervisors
Authorized approvers
Professional staff
Staff
portal
Application
Hub
Nottingham
Hub
Business
process
management
(BPM)
Research
Information
System (RIS)
22. Impact of Digital Solutions
Application
Hub
PGR Candidate’s
application
management
Supervisor
allocation
Offer issuing
Nottingham
Hub
BPM
(20+ processes)
Progression
Viva examination
Status changes
Scholarship
application
Funding
Training
Letter support
TA/RA
opportunities
RIS
Research profile
management
Thesis submission
Research outputs
collection and
showcase
Student ID
generation
Online registration
Taught element
records
Diploma
supplement
Complete students’
records
23. Impact of Digital Solutions
Enhanced student/staff experience
Traceable data for all parties (supervisors, students,
approvers, professional staff)
Easier access to reports when data analysis is needed
Improved efficiency
Easier management on processes
24. Thank you !
Any questions?
Contact : Evelyn.lin@nottingham.edu.cn
