Athumi and itsme® launch groundbreak

Less administration for students and for companies using student data

Athumi and itsme® have announced the launch of a pioneering solution for streamlining and digitising the various administrative processes that students have to deal with. This innovative data product – developed in partnership with itsme® – will provide students, employers and HR service providers with an efficient and secure way of accessing the data that is currently transferred via the paper student certificate.

Key document for students, employers and government departments

Replacing the paper student certificate with a digital data stream delivers numerous advantages for students, employers and HR service providers. From simplifying the student’s application process for accommodation and making it easier to obtain student benefits, to facilitating student recruitment, this new data product is tremendously versatile. The authentic source of the data is AHOVOKS, the Agency for Higher Education, Adult Education, Qualifications and Study Grants.

The market for student jobs in Belgium has grown strongly in recent years. For example, figures from the NSSO for 2023 show that the number of working students increased by 41.84% from 2012 to 2022, reaching a whopping 626,733. The number of student jobs available during the same period increased by 73.18% to 1,019,300. Now, by eliminating the need to request and forward the required documents, the data exchange process is optimised significantly, which in turn also reduces the administrative burden. By providing this data flow, Athumi and itsme® are taking the first steps in this area.

Easy digital sharing via the itsme® app

The launch of this new data stream provides students with an easy way of sharing authentic and certified data about their enrolment in a Flemish higher education institution, digitally and securely, via a Personal Online Datastore (Pod). It means they no longer have to search for the required data themselves, and the recipient always receives the relevant, authentic information. Having a Pod in place makes it possible for this personal data to be shared through advanced authentication and consent, granted via the itsme® app. By using the Personal Online Datastores platform based on Solid technology, which has been successfully deployed previously for sharing diploma data in collaboration with Randstad Group, the privacy and security of student data is always guaranteed and the student maintains control at all times over who has access to their data and for what period of time.

Doccle will also offer this solution to its customers, allowing them to use this data point seamlessly. This way Athumi is making further developments along the road to creating an open ecosystem.

Björn Devidts – CEO of Athumi – explains how the collaboration with itsme® works: Their reputation for sharing data securely and responsibly makes itsme® and Doccle particularly effective partners for facilitating this collaboration on data. It also means that customers of itsme® and Doccle will be able to connect easily, without having to learn the complexities of Solid.

Rollout in 2024

A first version of this data stream will be available in the summer of 2024, with a planned production launch around autumn. Additional data points will be added in the coming months in order to digitise additional administrative processes for students. Athumi is working closely with leading HR service providers and major employers – including Randstad Group, Manpower, Synergie and Colruyt Group – to ensure maximum applicability of the data being shared. ​

Stephanie De Bruyne – CEO of itsme® – about future developments: We are very pleased that the collaboration with Athumi is now concrete with the launch of digital student certificates. Now that this first data stream is becoming a reality and the technical links have been established, additional applications will soon follow. Our shared ambition remains unchanged: to build an ecosystem in which data can be shared securely and easily, as and when people want it. These achievements, which combine security, efficiency and respect for privacy, are an important driving force for our economy.

The key role of students

Students form a dynamic and progressive group within our society. They have an intrinsic curiosity for innovation and a high level of technological literacy. By putting students at the heart of the process, Athumi is able to give a powerful boost to the adoption of Personal Online Datastores within the wider community.

Bram Lerouge – CEO of Doccle – about the opportunities on offer:Unlocking this data is a great step for the ecosystem. We look forward to making this and other data points more available to companies within our ecosystem. With this data, large employers will find themselves benefiting from efficiencies without having to make much effort and students will be able to keep their administration in order with greater ease.