GUIDE

Global Unified Initiative for Data in Education (GUIDE)

A more connected future for higher education data starts here.

Higher education has more data than ever, but fragmented systems and inconsistent approaches to data sharing make it difficult to connect information, turn data into action, and build new solutions for students.

Led by DataKind, in partnership with TechChange, the Global Unified Initiative for Data in Education (GUIDE) is a collaborative effort to develop and support an adoptable, open-source public-good data model for student success. By bringing together higher education institutions, practitioners, technology providers, researchers, and others, GUIDE is building a shared data foundation for greater interoperability, student success, and responsible AI.

Join the GUIDE Community
About

What is GUIDE?

Higher education institutions rely on multiple systems to support learning and student services, but connecting data across those systems can be costly, complex, and difficult to maintain. GUIDE aims to make data more interoperable through a shared foundation that institutions can adopt without licensing fees.

DataKind provides technical stewardship for this initiative, while DataKind and TechChange work together to manage the GUIDE community, foster connections, and create opportunities for collaboration. The initiative is being shaped by institutions and communities that will use and build on it.

What could a shared data foundation unlock?

More connected student success data

Making it easier to connect information across systems and better understand the student journey.

Less duplicated work

Reducing the need for institutions to repeatedly solve the same data integration challenges.

New opportunities for innovation

Giving institutions, technology providers, and researchers a shared foundation to build on.

Stronger foundations for responsible AI

Helping institutions build data readiness into their existing workflows.

Stewardship

Who is DataKind?

DataKind is a mission-driven technology nonprofit building trusted data infrastructure and AI-powered products to help organizations make better decisions and deliver greater impact. Our approach is mission-driven, action-focused, built with people - not just for them - and grounded in openness and responsible AI.

As GUIDE’s technical steward, DataKind is responsible for its technical direction and core codebase, working with TechChange to support the community and create opportunities for collaboration.

Learn more at datakind.org.

DataKind TechChange
Components

Explore the GUIDE initiative

GUIDE brings together three interconnected components:

GUIDE Community

A community of higher education institutions, practitioners, technology providers, researchers, and others working together to shape and advance this public good.

GUIDE Data Model

The core technical foundation: an open-source data model that can harmonize information from multiple higher education systems into a common representation. It includes documentation and tools for generating and validating mappings.

GUIDE Workbench

A forthcoming interface where users will be able to interact with the GUIDE Data Model and explore demonstrations of data ingestion and transformation.

Forthcoming
Kickoff

Watch the GUIDE kickoff

What could higher education unlock if data could move more seamlessly across systems, institutions, and the student journey?

Watch the GUIDE kickoff to hear the vision of GUIDE, explore what’s possible for student success and AI readiness, and learn how to get involved.

Watch the GUIDE kickoff on YouTube

Get Involved

Help shape what comes next

GUIDE is being shaped by the people and communities who will use and build on it. Whether you're just learning about the initiative or ready to contribute, there's a place for you.

Share your perspective

Bring your experience with higher education data, student success, institutional systems, or interoperability to the conversation.

Explore and experiment

Learn about the GUIDE Data Model and consider how it could support your institution, research, or technology product.

Connect and collaborate

Meet others working toward a more connected approach to higher education data and discover opportunities to collaborate.

Stay involved

Sign up for updates and opportunities to participate in community activities, working groups, and future collaborations.

Sign up to join the GUIDE Community

Events

Connect with us

More events and community opportunities will be added as plans are confirmed.

Questions? Contact the DataKind education team at education@datakind.org.

Resources

Explore more resources

Learn more about the vision for GUIDE, the case for connected higher education data, and the technical work informing this approach.

Join the GUIDE community

Join the GUIDE community or email education@datakind.org to learn more.

Join the GUIDE Community