Sector(s)
For Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), the website is a cornerstone in its digital-communication strategy. Indeed, a future-proof platform is essential in communicating with each target audience. Our team assisted in realizing that platform. Keen to know how we did it?
About the project
The university comprises 20,000 students, 4,000 staff and 70,000 alumni. How do you ensure that all of these people stay informed of the latest news and events? How do you offer such content in a logical way? And last, but not least: as a hybrid organization, how do you communicate with one recognizable and trusted voice? After conducting an extensive functional and technical analysis of the website’s specific requirements, we provided a targeted software solution.
Publish once, distribute everywhere.
Simple publication and findability of content were crucial in the development process. In fact, across the entire vub.be website it was important that content could be easily retrieved and distributed. Using a JSON API and integration of various systems, such as Oracle Eloqua, Mollie and RACS, we ensured optimal availability of all kinds of information.
With the aid of tree diagrams and a simple allocation of owners and roles, Randstad Digital created a central distribution system, in which the information can be clearly organized. This means that end users of the VUB website can efficiently access all relevant content. A logical and clear selection of information is important, allowing all target audiences to find their required information intuitively.
However, the user-friendly aspect is also key for people working on the website behind the scenes. Starting with a central workflow with clever tags, we gave the large VUB community the freedom to choose, allowing members to display their individual commitment, news and activities, both to a general audience and a specific target group. The result is an agile website, with all kinds of new applications, but equally a clear and uniform DNA.
Chatbot helps in choosing a course.
The new web platform also includes a course compass using a chatbot, which our team devised during the process. This chatbot helps prospective students in selecting their study program, and gives them targeted suggestions and tips about which courses are suitable. Students not only receive advice on their options, but are also given information regarding specific admission requirements, or tests to help them in their selection.
To facilitate such personal guidance at an online level, we developed a clear tree diagram beforehand, so that the chatbot shows the appropriate results at the right moment during the selection process. From doubt to definitive decision: each student is offered specific content during a personalized selection process, in which they can even take a break for all information to sink in, and return to it later.
Furthermore, the enriched course compass gives VUB a wealth of information concerning the recruitment of new students. Indeed, using insights from the tool, the university can assess more clearly how the search for a suitable course is conducted among different profiles.
Result: a uniform, yet flexible site.
In short, user friendly, simple to manage, and a unique look and feel are central in VUB’s new digital landscape. The result is an agile website, with all kinds of new applications, but equally a clear and uniform DNA. In addition, Randstad Digital’s fixed customer team ensures continued support and maintenance following the website’s completion. In this way, the new web platform serves as an intuitive compass for (future) students, employees, researchers and alumni.
Why Drupal was chosen
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel’s new website responds to the needs of diverse target audiences. Students, for instance, have a myriad of questions at the start of their studies, and are enthusiastically exploring all (online) input in their environment. For staff at VUB, who manage the website behind the scenes, it is also vital to have a platform that provides clear publication options. The ease of use and uniform appearance of the digital landscape guarantee a clear digital communication strategy at VUB.
Technical Specifications
Drupal version:
