The University of Sydney has revealed details of its extensive rollout of robotic process automation (RPA) at an event held by Blue Prism in London. The University launched its automation focused AI Hub in 2018 to improve service levels for staff and students, release staff time back to the business; and reduce risks. 

Working with partner EY Australia and using the Blue Prism Platform, the University of Sydney has automated 33 processes to date across six functional areas including Student Administration Services, Finance, Human Resources, Campus Infrastructure and ICT functions.  It is now piloting the use of cognitive services to augment the Blue Prism solutions.

According to Steve Blunt, General Manager of the University’s AI Hub, “The AI Hub team has had an immediate and significant impact on service improvement, implementing a range of automated processes to improve student and staff experience while mitigating the challenges of disaggregation, complexity and volume for staff and students.

“Our decision to focus on a service improvement ethos as the overarching metric has seen the AI Hub gain momentum across the University in a very short period. Business units across the University are seeking out the automation team as they see the tangible benefits for their staff,” said Blunt.

The AI Hub was launched with a broad proof of concept approach to both maximise visibility and include a range of stakeholders.  The program automated a range of processes across functions delivering real value across multiple internal processes, including estate management (space bookings), student administration, procurement, exam management, document verifications, etc., with high customer satisfaction.  

The University of Sydney has further focused on recruiting tech and business resources for the AI Hub from the University’s own graduate cohort and has also initiated its own post-graduate Automation Developer Program to train and provide employment for recent graduates in robotics and automation -- among the skillsets most in demand today. 

Ean Evans, EY Oceania Intelligent Automation Lead Partner, whose team supported the University in cognitive RPA deployment at the AI Hub commented, “What makes the Automation & Innovation Hub achievements so compelling is the University’s commitment to improving service delivery to students and employees alike. This focus has supported rapid adoption of automation across a range of key processes across the University. We believe service delivery improvement and augmenting staff capabilities need to be key objectives to maximise the enterprise value possible from intelligent automation.”