30 June, 2021
As the inaugural year wraps up, ARUCC is delighted to share the wonderful successes, progress and updates with the community and celebrate those who have helped MyCreds™ become the trusted National Network it is today.
The ARUCC MyCreds™ team is pleased to announce the launch of its 14th school on the Network, exceeding goals for its first inaugural year. In June 2020, ARUCC announced that Digitary was the successful proponent of a national and international RFP. In summer 2020, the colleges, polytechnics and universities across Canada came together to help build and test the new Canadian Network. Seneca College and Ryerson University successfully launched as two proofs of concept on Digitary’s global network. In fall 2020, our students tested and named MyCreds™. In October/November 2020, ARUCC introduced MyCreds™ to Canada and in December, launched its first university – the University of Lethbridge in Alberta. Today there are close to 60,000 virtual learner wallets in use across 14 colleges, polytechnics and universities. Congratulations are extended to ARUCC, the MyCreds™ team, and its service partners.
Take a look at the MyCreds™ student videos of Ryerson University, the University of Lethbridge and SAIT.
In May, the Alberta post-secondary community signalled formal support for MyCreds™, emphasizing their commitment to institutionally led shared service models of support that enhance efficiencies and service supports to learners. These included the Alberta Registrars’ Association, the Alberta Senior Student Service Officers, and the Council of Post-Secondary Presidents of Alberta (COPPOA).
In June 2020, Ryerson University entered the digital credential environment by launching as a proof of concept on Digitary CORE as the first institution in Canada to participate in a global network of digital document exchange. Ryerson moved to the MyCreds™ National Network in February 2021.
In September 2020, Seneca College blazed a trail by being the first Canadian college to join the Digitary CORE global network. Seneca transitioned to MyCreds™ in March 2021.
In December 2020, the University of Lethbridge became the very first institution in Canada to launch on the new Canadian MyCreds™ National Network.
In February 2021, Bow Valley College in Alberta went live as the first college in Canada to issue documents via MyCreds™. Also in February, York University joined MyCreds™ as an early adopter university in Ontario to provide its learners digital diplomas and letters.
In April, Lambton led the pack being the first institution in the country to provide learners micro-credentials through their MyCreds™ virtual wallet. This innovation is important for rapid access to jobs and potential opportunities for supporting scalable prior learning assessment.
In April, the University of Regina became the first post-secondary institute in Saskatchewan to join MyCreds™, easing access for learners to their official transcripts.
In May, the University of Calgary became the first U15 Canadian University to join the National Network. This was followed by the launch of Western University in June which is providing its students and graduates digital transcripts via MyCreds™.
Also in May, Red River College became the first institution in Manitoba to launch on MyCreds™. The adoption of the technology brings tremendous efficiencies to the College which was previously performing all transcript processing manually.
In June, Georgian College became another early adopter institution to join the network, giving students 24/7 access to their academic documents.
Also in June, SAIT became the first polytechnic in Alberta to launch, issuing parchments and transcripts through MyCreds™ virtual credential wallets. The University of Alberta and Medicine Hat College also joined MyCreds™ at the end of the month, continuing the province of Alberta’s rapid adoption of the National Network.
Alberta: Bow Valley College, Medicine Hat College, SAIT, University of Calgary, University of Lethbridge, University of Alberta
Manitoba: Red River College, Booth University College (receiver)
Ontario: Lambton College, Georgian College, Ryerson University, Seneca College, University of Toronto (receiver), Western University, York University
Quebec: McGill University (receiver)
Saskatchewan: University of Regina
Alberta: Lethbridge College, Mount Royal University, NAIT
British Columbia: Royal Roads University
Nova Scotia: Dalhousie University, University of King’s College
Ontario: Centennial College, Conestoga College, Humber College, OCAD U, Université de l’Ontario français, University of Waterloo
Quebec: HEC Montréal, McGill University, Université de Montréal
Many more are coming soon.
Members of project steering, ARUCC and the project team have been working to keep the stakeholder community informed about the importance of MyCreds™. Representatives shared information and updates at the national CNAR regulatory conference, the PESC International Data Summit, the American AACRAO webinar series, the international TAICEP conference, the European Blockchain committees, and more, including through several monthly national sessions. The ARUCC National Network team and their partner colleges and universities shared their expertise about the advantages of digitization and peer-to-peer trusted connections to support quality assured assessments for admission, transfer and employment using MyCreds™.
ARUCC is pleased to announce a partnership between Digitary, its service partner, and MATTR, a friend of MyCreds™. These international organizations are combining their talents to deliver SSI (self-sovereign identity) and Verifiable Credentials for the ARUCC MyCreds™ virtual wallet. This ground-breaking work means the Canadian MyCreds™ credential wallet along with other international members of the Digitary global network will be able to reach an even higher bar of service delivery for mobile learners, creating a triangle of trust which includes them and the Canadian colleges and universities. Read the full press release announcement here.
ARUCC, our colleges and universities and friends across Canada have been sending information about MyCreds™ to government, embassies, employers, and others to support our learners. When they become designated receivers, these organizations can receive official results through their own personalized receiver portal. With MyCreds™, their staff can access secure official letters, transcripts, badges, micro-credentials, degrees, and more, allowing them to support rapid assessment and permit processing and to manage the inbound document workflow. With this, our students and graduates receive faster support without having to leave home.
In its continuing goal to advance the full sustainability of MyCreds™ and ensure standards based interoperability, ARUCC has joined DIACC and the IDLab which complement its longstanding signatory status with the Groningen Declaration Network and the Postsecondary Electronic Standards Council. The Digital Identification and Authentication Council of Canada (DIACC) is a national, non-profit coalition of public and private sector leaders committed to developing a Canadian digital identification and authentication framework supported by standards to enable Canada’s full and secure participation in the global digital economy. The IDLab is Canada’s only independent and neutral national organization that promotes the compliance of and interoperability between digital identity solutions across public and private sectors.
ARUCC’s MyCreds™ team is committed to four key priorities in delivery of its services:
MyCreds™ is compliant with various standards including IMS Global, PESC XML, W3C, and more. Since 2015, ARUCC has been a signatory to the Groningen Declaration Network, a principles based organization dedicated to advancing student mobility through ethical data portability. Joining DIACC and the IDLab represents ARUCC’s continuing commitment to these aims.
“As a former UofC student who sent countless applications to graduate and postgraduate programs and is now attending my third university, I cannot express how revolutionary MyCreds™ will be for student mobility. Being able to conveniently access all my credentials in one place is something I didn’t know I needed until I was in the process of applications. With MyCreds™, students won’t have to encounter the hassle of individually mailing transcripts to other schools within Canada, or worse, internationally. Applying to professional programs will now be easier than I ever thought possible. The more institutions on the network, the greater the benefit for every student. There is no going back from MyCreds™.”
“MyCreds™ is a game-changer for students, graduates and alumni across the country. We – students – no longer need to order, mail, and protect hard-copy documents which are easily prone to damage or misplacement. Not only does MyCreds™ aid school admission processes, it can also simplify typical student tasks including submitting Proofs of Enrolment to banks for financial purposes, sending Official Transcripts for job applications, sending letters for government reasons, or simply sharing academic achievements with friends and family.”
“With a network of well over 2M learners maximizing virtual wallets in the MyCreds™ Network, it makes sense to ensure smoother transitions for learners.”
– Angelique Saweczko, University Registrar, University of Toronto
“This partnership serves a dual purpose for us – the ability to share and receive secure digital wallets provides our students autonomous control and authenticity of their credentials and also promotes and protects the value of SAIT credentials and the organizational reputation for high-quality applied education.”
– Dr. Neera Arora, Registrar, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
“The enormous benefit this platform gives our students by providing 24/7 access to their official documents is remarkable.”
– James D’Arcy, Registrar, University of Regina
“The MyCreds™ credential wallet will allow us to continue to adapt in a meaningful way and provide the best experience possible for our students and alumni.”
– Cindy Mutchler, Registrar, Georgian College
“Governments, employers, regulatory bodies and schools around the world no longer need to verify documents by mail now that the MyCreds™ virtual wallet is here.”
– Charmaine Hack, Project Chair, ARUCC; Registrar, Ryerson University
Our learners are ordering and sending documents via MyCreds™ from countries around the world. This level of access and support demonstrates the value and importance of the Network in advancing service delivery and mobility. Take a look at the map to see where learners are sending their documents using their MyCreds™ virtual wallet.
You can check the ARUCC Membership Directory. Every time a school onboards, they are identified as a MyCreds™ institution on the list. If they distribute transcripts through the MyCreds™ environment, an asterisk is placed beside their school name.
The MyCreds™ website also lists participating institutions on its new Member Directory webpage.
These sessions are for those new to the Network discussions who would like an overview of the project and platform and wish to see a demonstration. Unique sessions are also available for those exploring micro-credentialing. Contact us if you wish to register for a session to see a demonstration of MyCreds™ at info@aruccnationalnetwork.ca
ARUCC hosted its biennial conference and Annual General Meeting virtually this year, from June 21 to 23, 2021. Featured sessions touched on topics ranging from: admissions; recruitment; scholarships; MyCreds™; and more, and for a total number of registrants across all sessions of over 360. Prior to the conference, and new this year were topic-specific community check-in sessions, held weekly from April 26 to June 7 which saw 95 registrants. ARUCC is excited to welcome its new board following the June 21st Annual General Meeting.
ARUCC is pleased to serve as local host for the 10th Annual Meeting of the Groningen Declaration Network, November 10 to 12, 2021. Planned to be held as a hybrid (both virtual and face-to-face) meeting, the in-person event will be held in Canada’s national capital, Ottawa. The annual meeting is certain to draw participants from around the world. This convening opportunity represents a chance for international thought leaders to exchange ideas and share ground breaking support initiatives reflecting the theme of the meeting: Mobility, Digital Citizenship, and the Student Experience. Government, industry leaders, colleges, and universities will be coming together through the GDN to share ideas and advance access and recognition for mobile learners. ARUCC is pleased to present MyCreds™ on the world stage at this important event. More information about the meeting can be found here. Registration will open soon.
The Association of Registrars of the Universities and Colleges of Canada (ARUCC) owns MyCreds™, a not-for-profit shared service Network. ARUCC provides leadership in the post-secondary education field and service to its member institutions nationally and internationally, helping foster the advancement of registrarial practices and learner focused service delivery in Canada. For more information about MyCreds™, contact the ARUCC’s Executive Lead, Joanne Duklas, at info@aruccnationalnetwork.ca or visit https://mycreds.ca/.
That means it’s time for you to onboard to MyCreds™. Contact us for next steps.
Join MyCreds™. There’s no need to delay or look elsewhere.
