Welcome to the Digital Data Normalisation page of the Directorate of Information Services (DOIS)

As the University of Duhok advances its digital transformation, DATA NORMALISATION has emerged as a key foundational process that ensures consistency, accuracy, and efficiency. This crucial step ensures that all university data remains consistent, accurate, and easily accessible across various platforms. Since February 2024, DOIS has been actively collecting and organising data on teaching staff, using institutional email accounts as primary identifiers. This organised data will form the backbone for building academic portfolios, developing course websites, and supporting college platforms. 

The Normalisation Process: Building a Consistent Digital Ecosystem

Data normalisation is a critical phase in creating a cohesive and efficient digital environment. With academic institutions relying on large amounts of data to function, ensuring that this data is both accurate and consistently formatted is key to providing a seamless user experience. At the University of Duhok, the process involves several layers of standardisation:

1. Standardisation and Consistency

DOIS is leading the effort to ensure that all digital data across the university adheres to consistent standards. This involves:

• Formal Names and Contact Information: By standardising how faculty, staff, and student names, titles, and contact details are entered and stored in databases, the university ensures that data is reliable and easy to retrieve. Imagine trying to find a faculty member’s profile – consistent formatting across all platforms makes this effortless.

• Unified Terminology: A shared vocabulary is being developed for academic programs, departments, courses, and other entities. This standard terminology will eliminate confusion, ensuring that everyone across the university uses the same terms, which is vital for a functional digital ecosystem.

• Data Formatting: DOIS is also working on standardising the format of the data itself, from date formats to file naming conventions. This enables smoother integration between systems, facilitating information exchange across platforms like academic websites, course platforms, and student databases.

2. Course Module Information

In addition to core personal data, the university will standardise the collection of course module information. Academic programs across all colleges will contribute data regarding module titles and course specifics, formatted uniformly to be used across various digital platforms. This standardisation ensures that information about courses is presented consistently to all users, supporting both students and staff in navigating their academic journeys.

3. Primary Identifier: Institutional Email Accounts

To ensure seamless linking of data across systems, institutional email addresses will be used as the primary identifier for all staff, faculty, and students. This single point of reference will simplify the process of managing academic portfolios, online learning platforms, and administrative records, reducing errors and making data management more efficient.

Data Collection and Infrastructure: A Strong Foundation

DOIS is spearheading a comprehensive data collection project designed to gather accurate, up-to-date information on faculty, staff, and students. This data includes personal details such as names, titles, contact information, qualifications, and research interests. Collected data will form the basis for the data normalisation process, ensuring that it is seamlessly integrated across all digital platforms.

• Comprehensive Data Collection Form: A secure online form will streamline the process of gathering personal information, making it easier for the university community to submit their data. This form will feed directly into the data normalisation pipeline, ensuring data consistency across university systems.

• Robust Digital Infrastructure: The IT team at DOIS is working on establishing a robust infrastructure that will support the university’s digitisation efforts. Cloud storage solutions will be implemented to archive and protect collected data, with secure access available to authorised personnel only.

A Collaborative Approach: Driving Digital Excellence

The success of the digital data normalisation process lies in collaboration between different departments within the university. A dedicated Digital Transformation Officer, working closely with the President of the University, the DOIS team, and the Directorate of Media and Newsroom, oversees the process. This collective effort is laying a strong foundation for the university’s long-term digital goals.

Looking Ahead: Transforming UOD’s Digital Landscape

The phased approach to digital transformation at the University of Duhok reflects a strong commitment to harnessing the power of technology. With data normalisation as a cornerstone, the university is well-positioned to enhance its digital presence and elevate its standing in the global academic community. By fostering a culture of digital excellence and leveraging data-driven insights, the University of Duhok is set to redefine higher education in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and beyond.

The Digital Data Normalization initiative at UOD is setting the stage for a comprehensive digital transformation. By establishing consistent, standardised data across the institution, DOIS is laying a strong foundation for future academic portfolios, course websites, and other digital tools. This initiative will not only enhance the university’s operational efficiency but also solidify UOD’s reputation for technological excellence in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and beyond. 

For further information on digital data normalisation or to access the Personal Data Collection Form, please contact the Directorate of Information Services (DOIS).