This week I was off to Amsterdam once more, this time for the GÉANT CTO workshop which I was helping to deliver a session for.

I spent time on Monday reviewing the two events I had attended in London and Birmingham over the last two weeks. What they were like, who was there, and what (if any) were implications for Jisc.

Tuesday I flew out from Bristol to Amsterdam. This is quite a quick flight. I had anticipated a lengthy wait at passport control, but it wasn’t that bad in the end. They did have the new EES system, which meant scanning my face and fingerprints. I thought that would be that, but I then had to go through the automated passport gate, which didn’t work for me. So, it was then to a manned passport booth. Got my passport stamped (which I thought EES would stop, maybe it will, but not at the moment). 

Prior to the workshop I spent time preparing going through my notes and the presentation slides we were going to use in our session. I also had various online (and in-person) meetings as well.

The workshop went very well, with lots of positive comments about the approach and lot less resistance than expected.

I have also been looking at student data models and how SURF in the Netherlands approach this with regard to sharing data about students, courses and other aspects of education. A very different approach compared to the UK.

I had an afternoon flight back to the UK, so didn’t get back too late.