The HEDI API strengthens interoperability in higher education
HEDI API roll-outs are progressing in Sisu higher education institutions. Read how the shared model supports interoperability.
The operating environment for higher education institutions is constantly evolving, and at the same time, the seamless flow of data between systems is becoming increasingly important. Flexible study opportunities, continuous learning and national digital services require solutions that enable information to flow seamlessly between systems.
The HEDI API respons to this need by aiming to standardise the transfer of higher education data within the Digivisio ecosystem. In practice, this provides a common way of transferring study-related information between higher education institutions and services.
At Funidata, the HEDI API is currently particularly visible in integrations related to open course offerings. At the same time, it lays the foundation for future data transfer between higher education institutions and for new kinds of digital services.
What does the HEDI API mean in practice?
The HEDI API (Higher Education Data Integration) is an interface model that enables higher education institutions’ systems to exchange data in a standardised format. It is based on the HEDS data model (Higher Education Data Schema), which defines what data is transferred and in what structure.
In simple terms:
- HEDS defines the data structure and common rules
- HEDI API defines how data is transferred between systems
The aim is for the systems used by higher education institutions to speak the same “language”. This simplifies integrations and enables broader use of data across the higher education sector.
The technical implementation is based on standardised interfaces and structured data transfer, enabling smoother and more up-to-date data exchange between different services. The HEDI API supports retrieving, sending, and updating data, which simplifies data maintenance and reduces the need for manual work.
The HEDI API supports Digivisio’s goals
Digivisio’s goal is to build a shared digital ecosystem for higher education institutions, where study-related data flows seamlessly between different services. The HEDI API acts as a key integration layer within this ecosystem.
At the moment, the HEDI API is primarily used for transferring information on open course offerings to the Opin.fi service. In the future, the role of the interface model may expand to integrations related to student data, study rights and study attainments.
This development is driven by the need to create shared operating models in an environment where higher education institutions’ system landscapes are diverse. A common data model and standardised interfaces improve interoperability and reduce the need for organisation-specific standalone solutions.
Sisu and HEDI API: integrations for open course offerings in practice
In Sisu, the HEDI model is currently implemented through our Hessu service. It monitors changes in Sisu’s Kori and transfers information on open course offerings in real time to the study data pool on Digivisio’s higher education platform.
The information transferred includes, for example:
- product packages
- study modules
- courses
- implementations
- completion methods
- assessment criteria
In practice, this means that a higher education institution’s open course offerings can be transferred centrally to Digivisio’s services without separate manual data transfer processes.
Real-time data transfer improves the timeliness of information and reduces situations where the same data is maintained differently across multiple systems.
Roll-outs are progressing in phases
The roll-out of HEDI API integrations is progressing in phases as part of Digivisio’s broader development. The roll-outs are advancing in close collaboration with higher education institutions and Digivisio, while also building shared operating models that support data quality and service interoperability across the entire higher education sector.
During the testing phase, higher education institutions compare data produced through existing integrations with data transferred via the HEDI API. This helps ensure data quality and compatibility before production use.
The first implementations at higher education institutions using Sisu have already moved into production. The HEDI API is now in use at Hanken and the University of Jyväskylä. The University of Tampere and Aalto University are scheduled to adopt the interface in early June. The goal is for all Sisu higher education institutions to introduce the HEDI API in phases.
Funidata supports higher education institutions in preparing for implementation through activities such as credential management and integration coordination. So far, the primary focus of the roll-outs has been on transferring data related to open course offerings, but the development of the HEDI API continues actively towards broader data content.
Looking to the future
According to the Digivisio roadmap, further development of the HEDI API is linked to areas such as the development of open course offerings, support for flexible degree studies and the KOTI project.
In practice, the aim is to build increasingly unified and up-to-date data transfer models for the higher education sector.
From the perspective of higher education institutions, this is not just about a technical interface. More broadly, it is about how data can support flexible study paths, service interoperability and data-driven management.
In the long term, shared data models and interface standards will support higher education institutions in developing digital services together and responding flexibly to the evolving needs of education.
