Abstract:

The use of technology is changing within Higher Education environments from the provision of hardware and software in specific fixed environments to one of pervasiveness. With the advent of better Wi-Fi technologies, VDI and Thin Technologies as well as BYOD, we now see that Universities are adopting a mobile first approach.

After years of underinvestment in our technology estate, the University undertook a major programme of work titled ‘ICT Transformation’. This programme took the university from a low base to give it the foundations to build upon and provide futureproofing where necessary.

The outcome of the programme was improved Wi-Fi, faster wired infrastructure, replacement of all end-user devices, implementing a managed print service, building a new data centre, improved server and storage capacity, more resilience, the introduction of technology standards, lecture capture, and state of the art classroom A/V. This allowed us to move to the next phase.

We are now entering a new programme of works that will build upon the work already carried out in the aforementioned projects. These include the new library, agile technologies and flexible space provision.

In planning our new library development we are looking to reduce the number of end-user devices provided by the University in favour of BYOD and the provision of software and services direct to the student. This puts the power and control in the hands of the user and means that the University can concentrate on core back-office delivery. This model is more efficient for the user and also the University leading to improvements across the board.

We also understand that students don’t just study in the campus and by implementing new agile technologies we can allow the students to study anytime, anywhere, any place. The knock-on benefit is that we can extend this to staff as well and by adopting a mobile first policy for certain staff groups we can provide even more agile working, improving work life balance and enhancing productivity.

We are also looking at extending this beyond the study environment and into the learning environment by looking at more flexible classroom and lab spaces, facilitating better timetabling and improved room utilisation, and making the best use of the prime teaching spaces.

We will demonstrate our thinking and planning around these areas, showing clearly how they will be incorporated in the developments going forward.

Keywords:

Technology.