FS 1993–2026: How Student Administration Became a Digital Collaborative Effort

11 pages•Published: June 18, 2026

Anne Kathrine Haugen and Geir Magne Vangen

Abstract

This article analyses the development of FS, Norway's national student information system. The system is today used by the entire public higher education sector and most private higher education institutions. Through document analysis, the development of the system from its inception in 1993 to 2026 is examined. The analysis shows how sector-based collaboration has led to extensive standardisation of student administrative processes, significant cost savings, and a role in the European digitalisation of higher education. The study further points to how a long-term perspective, user participation, and data modelling have been decisive for the system's viability. At the same time, challenges related to management involvement and continuous technological renewal are highlighted. The analysis places particular emphasis on organisational and technological development trends, digitalisation gains, and international collaboration.

Keyphrases: digital standardisation, sector collaboration, student information system

In: Laurence Desnos, Carmen Diaz, Janina Mincer-Daszkiewicz, Lazaros Merakos, Raimund Vogl, Stuart McLellan and Ulrike Lucke (editors). Proceedings of EUNIS 2026 Annual Congress, vol 109, pages 1-11.

Links:	https://easychair.org/publications/paper/P1L3k
	https://doi.org/10.29007/vp88

BibTeX entry

@inproceedings{EUNIS2026:FS_1993_2026_How,
  author    = {Anne Kathrine Haugen and Geir Magne Vangen},
  title     = {FS 1993–2026: How Student Administration Became a Digital Collaborative Effort},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of EUNIS 2026 Annual Congress},
  editor    = {Laurence Desnos and Carmen Diaz and Janina Mincer-Daszkiewicz and Lazaros Merakos and Raimund Vogl and Stuart McLellan and Ulrike Lucke},
  series    = {EPiC Series in Computing},
  volume    = {109},
  publisher = {EasyChair},
  bibsource = {EasyChair, https://easychair.org},
  issn      = {2398-7340},
  url       = {/publications/paper/P1L3k},
  doi       = {10.29007/vp88},
  pages     = {1-11},
  year      = {2026}}

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