As universities across Australia increasingly recognise the value of data in driving student success, research outcomes, and operational efficiency, many still face significant challenges in turning that potential into practice.

According to the recent EDUCAUSE QuickPoll, 92% of institutions are somewhere along the path to data modernisation—yet only 1% feel they’ve reached full maturity. The problem isn’t just technical. It’s structural, cultural, and strategic. To move forward, institutions must shifttheir thinking: from managing data as back-office infrastructure to designingit as a product.

From Data Silos to Data Products

Outdated systems and fragmented data landscapes continue to restrict institutional visibility, agility, and insight. As EDUCAUSE puts it, “Legacy systems often create fragmented and siloed data environments, making it difficult to gain a unified view of institutional performance.”

At Alkemiz, we support institutions to adopt a Data as a Product approach—treating datasets as consumable, trustworthy assets, created with intention and designed for real-world use across faculties, functions, and leadership.

This means:

• Clearly assigned ownership and accountability
• Metadata and documentation that promote discoverability and reuse
• Fit-for-purpose governance that enables trusted access
• Self-service analytics tools designed for all levels of data users

The result? Faster, more consistent, and more evidence-informed decision-making across the institution.

Democratisation Needs Governance and Capability

The QuickPoll highlights a significant capability gap: 20% of institutions haven’t taken steps to up skill staff, and over half report that their data remains siloed. Even when executive expectations are high, without the right foundations and frameworks, progress stalls.

We help institutions bridge this gap by:

• Establishing scalable data governance frameworks
• Supporting internal capability uplift through Centres of Excellence
• Embedding change management from the outset to ensure adoption and impact

As one respondent noted, “Good governance will make everything easier, but it’s not a quick win.” That’s why we embed governance and capability-building from day one.

Focus on Value, Not Just Tools

The QuickPoll shows that operational efficiency(58%) and student success (46%) are the top drivers for data initiatives—well ahead of automation or AI. While emerging technologies are important, they’re only as valuable as the foundations they rest on.

One respondent cautioned:

“Chasing shiny things (AI and other novelties) are distractions… It would have been better spent on establishing the foundations like master data management and mapping who owns what.”

Our approach focuses on sustainable impact through:

• Interoperable cloud data platforms
• High-value dashboards and reporting on existing tools
• Strategic removal of technical debt with reusable data assets

The Alkemiz Approach

Alkemiz helps higher education institutions modernise and connect their data ecosystems through our Data, Integration, and Architecture Services.

We bring deep sector expertise and strong partnerships such as MortarCAPS and Microsoft. Our focus ispractical and outcome-driven:

• Unified data platforms and integration strategies
• Reusable data products built with governance and transparency
• Agile delivery aligned to institutional capacity and timelines

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We don’t just deliver solutions, we help universities build a connected, trusted, and activated data foundation that unlocks long-term value.

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