Nous Group, in collaboration with Ellucian, has released a new white paper examining how Australian universities can renew student information systems (SIS) to improve retention, equity, and institutional responsiveness in an increasingly constrained operating environment. 

Turning drag into momentum: Renewing student information systems for Australian universities draws on new insights from senior university leaders across Australia and the Asia Pacific region, including perspectives shared through Ellucian’s Sector Focus Group roundtables. 

The research highlights how accumulated technology debt, particularly within core student systems, is increasingly acting as a drag on student experience, staff productivity, and institutional sustainability. 

Australian universities are operating in what the paper describes as a “managed system,” in which enrolments are capped, costs continue to rise, and student expectations for seamless, personalised digital services continue to increase. In this context, legacy platforms and fragmented digital architectures are becoming strategic constraints rather than neutral infrastructure. 

The paper explores how universities can move from incremental fixes to a more deliberate, student-centred approach to system renewal, enabling institutions to improve experience, efficiency and adaptability. 

Read the full white paper, Turning drag into momentum: Renewing student information systems for Australian universities, on the Ellucian website.