More Information

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What are the objectives of Project Connect?


The objectives of Project Connect is to:
  • Decommission the existing Student Records System (SRS) by December 2008,
  • Meet high student expectations for access to information and services,
  • Facilitate the offering of more flexible teaching and learning approaches and the extension of academic programs,
  • Increase support for management decision requirements via readily accessible information,
  • Provide a modern, accessible anywhere, user interface for all stakeholders to manage student information,
  • Provide for customer-focused work practice and efficient, accurate and reliable data collection,
  • Meet significant increases in Commonwealth reporting accountability requirements involving statistics and educational profile information,
  • Support the introduction of new fee schedules, including HECS and FEE HELP,
  • Replace obsolete technologies, with up-to-date, supported, reliable hardware infrastructure, and
  • Develop an ongoing support regime for staff and the Callista system.

    The Stages


    1 & 2 - Start up & Initiation
    The first and second stages were used as a foundation to plan and define the boundaries, scope, objectives, timeframes and resources for Project Connect.

    3 - Analysis
    The Analysis stage involved hardware and software installation, user familiarisation training, and the analysing of current processes in order to recommend new approaches.

    4 - Design & Configuration
    This stage included data mapping and cleansing, and was when the new system was designed to accommodate the agreed business processes.

    5 - Build
    During stage 5, Callista was developed and built or configured according to specifications. Rules were configured, and scripts were developed to migrate data from the old system to the new system.

    6 - Transition
    The Transition stage includes training of staff in using the new system, user acceptance testing, as well as performance testing to ensure that Callista is working as efficiently and reliably as possible.

    7 - Deployment!
    In this final stage, Callista will go live and finally become the new admistrative system for the entire college.

    What will Callista support?


    Project Connect is working to ensure that the Callista system will effectively replace Avondale's current system, while maximising Callista's efficiency and functionality. The following modules of Callista will be imlpemented initially, with further functionality planned for the future:

    Calendars
    Security
    Course Structure & Planning
    Organisational Structure
    Admissions
    Applicant Portal
    Enrolments
    Statistics (includes statutory reporting)
    Advanced Standing
    Assessments
    Student Finance
    Graduation
    Reporting
    Rules
    Research
    Correspondence
    Progression
    Scholarships

    Staff and Student Connect


    Two portals, Staff Connect and Student Connect, will also be available to respective personnel. On Staff Connect, staff members will be able to generate class lists, upload grades, find relevant student details and make course enquiries.

    Student Connect will allow students to access information on personal and course details, exams times and results, and graduation. Online enrolment will eventually eliminate some of our current Registration processes by 2009, moving Avondale towards a more user friendly, efficient and current institution