Creating Digital Credential Exchange Across Nova Scotia

Breaking New Ground

ARUCC MyCreds™ is thrilled to announce the launch of four Nova Scotia universities on the MyCreds™ National Network. These institutions include Dalhousie University, the University of King’s College, Université Sainte-Anne and Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU). Dalhousie, King’s and MSVU have launched digital transcripts and the Université Sainte-Anne has launched badges. In all cases, they will be delivering even more digital documents and credentials to learners over time.

Dalhousie University

Through MyCreds™, students at these schools will be able to securely, conveniently and digitally access and share their academic documents with other colleges and universities, government, employers and third parties. Documents issued through MyCreds™ are tamper-evident and cryptographically signed, making them authentic and official.

Image Courtesy of Université Sainte-Anne

Acadia, Atlantic School of Theology, Cape Breton University, Nova Scotia Community College, NSCAD, St. Francis Xavier University and Saint Mary’s University are expected to be part of the MyCreds™ Network in the coming months.  

Mount Saint Vincent University

Province-Wide Innovation

This province-wide innovation in Nova Scotia is the first of its kind for the MyCreds™ Network in Canada because of the leadership engagement and planning occurring across different sectors, government and organizations. Having all 11 post-secondary institutions in Nova Scotia participating in the network was the shared vision of the Nova Scotia Department of Advanced Education, Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents (CONSUP) and EduNova.

These three organizations have worked to provide leadership and funding for this initiative, which have been critical to the shared successes achieved by these schools to date.

Through this and other collaborative initiatives, these organizations plan to continue supporting their thriving and financially sustainable higher education sector in Nova Scotia.

University of King's College

Quotes

“MyCreds™ represents a significant advancement in the digital transformation of education in Nova Scotia,” says Adam Robertson, Chair of the Nova Scotia MyCreds™ Steering Committee and University Registrar at Dalhousie University. “By joining the MyCreds™ network, our institutions can unlock the full potential of digital credentials, making it easier for our learners and alumni to access and share their achievements with employers and educational institutions around the world. We’re grateful for a strong collaboration across ARUCC, CONSUP, Advanced Education, our post-secondary institutions and EduNova to make this happen.”

“MyCreds™ will provide post-secondary institutions across Nova Scotia with the digital infrastructure to facilitate admissions, registrations, graduations and support student transitions into the workforce,” says Shawna Garrett, president & CEO of EduNova. “We are delighted that all students in Nova Scotia’s public post-secondary system will be able to share their academic records securely and seamlessly as they chase their dreams and pursue their education and career goals.”

“Working in collaboration with an entire province to enable onboarding to MyCreds™ represents an important step in supporting learners at scale,” says Romesh Vadivel, MyCreds™ Project Board Director. “The national registrars’ association, ARUCC, and our community of schools are thrilled to see Nova Scotia schools join the national network. Together, we are supporting cross-Canada and international learner mobility and rapid access to jobs and higher education. We are grateful to the provincial government, EduNova, the Nova Scotia Steering Committee and the post-secondary community for their efforts and applaud the launch of these vanguard leaders.”

“At MSVU, we prioritize access and impact for all, and so we were keen to implement this new technology to make it easier for students and graduates to access the official documents they need as part of their academic and career journeys,” says Stephanie Hale, University Registrar at MSVU. “We’re thrilled that we can now offer a new, modern way for students and graduates to view, receive and share these documents.”

“For several years, Université Sainte-Anne has been multiplying its efforts to integrate digital technology in teaching, research, communication and management,” says Cynthia Robicheau, Registrar, Université Sainte-Anne. “Joining MyCreds™ is another step in the right direction and benefits our entire academic community. With MyCreds™, students will be able to easily access their official documents and credentials and share them digitally and securely with other institutions, with employers, government agencies and other third parties.”

“The establishment and growth of the ARUCC MyCreds™ National Network is a testament to the unwavering dedication of the Canadian registrarial community in promoting student mobility and achievement,” says Julie Green, formerly the Registrar of University of King’s College. “As a result of this initiative, learners at King’s can effortlessly request, monitor and transmit their academic credentials via MyCreds™, regardless of their location. With this platform, students will be equipped with real-time updates on their transcript shared to a third party, be it a university, employer or accreditation organization. This advancement is poised to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of credential management, facilitating seamless transitions and opportunities for all students.”

About

About MyCreds™

MyCreds™ is a national, shared service and platform that provides students and graduates access to a secure, online, password protected learner credential wallet. This virtual wallet allows them to view and share their verified and official transcripts, credentials and academic documents in a digitized format on a 24/7 basis – anytime, anywhere. It also enables sharing between organizations with the learner’s permission. Secure, cryptographically signed documents can be sent conveniently and require no further verification. MyCreds™ is the first and only national bilingual system of its kind in Canada.

About CONSUP

The Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents (CONSUP), founded in 1982, is an informal body consisting of the presidents of the ten degree-granting institutions in the province. The objectives of the Council are to work for the improvement of higher education in Nova Scotia, to exercise leadership in matters concerning post-secondary education, to promote cooperation and interuniversity planning among those institutions listed in the membership, to be the channel of collective communication between the universities and the government, as well as between the universities and other bodies or individuals.

About EduNova

EduNova is a co-operative non-profit industry association of education and training providers in Nova Scotia, Canada. With an office in the province’s capital city of Halifax, they are the only provincial education and training co-operative in Canada.

About Dalhousie University

Combining innovative research, meaningful teaching and a deep sense of social responsibility

Located in Nova Scotia, Canada (Mi’kma’ki) with four campuses in Halifax and Truro, and satellite locations in Yarmouth and Saint John, New Brunswick, Dalhousie’s broad range of academic programs attract and retain a diverse mix of incredible students, scholars, researchers and staff who work together with interdisciplinary perspective and a focus on service. The University’s 13 academic Faculties expand understanding through teaching excellence and a drive for discovery that results in more than $190 million in research funding each year. As Atlantic Canada’s primary research-intensive university and a member of the U15 Group of Canadian Universities, Dalhousie’s research and innovation includes world-leading researchers working in labs, studios and in the field. Building on its legacy of groundbreaking research and outstanding scholarship, Dalhousie is focused on providing a unique, interactive and collaborative environment that supports all students, instructors, researchers and staff to achieve excellence. Find out more at dal.ca/

About Université Sainte-Anne

Université Sainte-Anne, the only French language post-secondary institution in Nova Scotia, offers university and college-level courses as well as a French immersion program and customized training in French as a second language. Recognized for its excellent programs as well as its unique and exceptional living environment, Sainte-Anne offers experiential learning opportunities that promote student engagement and success, and an atmosphere which encourages a culture of excellence in research and development. Solidly established in its community, Université Sainte-Anne is a partner of choice for all those who wish to strengthen the vitality of the regions surrounding its 5 campuses as well as all of Acadie throughout Nova Scotia. Learn more at ustaineanne.ca

About Mount Saint Vincent University

As a leader in online and experiential learning, and based on a strong tradition of social responsibility, Mount Saint Vincent University takes a personalized approach to education to nurture socially responsible global citizens. Founded in 1873, the Mount has been nationally recognized for having one of the lowest student-to-professor ratios, for providing students early access to valuable research opportunities, for its legacy in the advancement of women, and for facilitating critical advancements in food security, healthy aging, literacy, childhood development and more. Learn more at  msvu.ca

About University of King's College

Established in 1789, the University of King’s College (UKC) is Canada’s oldest chartered university and is associated with Dalhousie University. A small and extraordinarily lively academic community located in Halifax, (Kjipuktuk) Nova Scotia, King’s is known nationally and internationally for its highly acclaimed interdisciplinary programs in the humanities, including its renowned Foundation Year Program, its professional programs in journalism and its fine arts programs in creative writing. Find out more at ukings.ca.

About ARUCC

The Association of Registrars of the Universities and Colleges of Canada (ARUCC) owns MyCreds™. 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.

About Digitary

Digitary provides the underlying engine powering MyCreds™. Digitary was launched in Dublin, Ireland in 2005, and has grown to become a leading online platform for certifying, sharing and verifying academic credentials. Learner-centric since the very start, Digitary enables millions of learners to share their verified academic achievements online, securely, quickly and easily. Digitary is now used by organizations in over 135 countries.

Media

All Nova Scotia Schools Media Release (.pdf)
CONSUP Media Release
MSVU Media Release

Media Contact: Joanne Duklas, Executive Lead, ARUCC, info@aruccnationalnetwork.ca