Information and Communication Technology Plan 2009–2011
Context
The University’s ICT Functional Plan aims to set the strategic direction for ICT at the University of the Sunshine Coast for the period 2009 to 2011 and to ensure that ICT initiatives are aligned with the strategic, tactical and operational needs of the University’s business areas as reflected in the Strategic Plan 2005–2010 and other University functional plans. It seeks to allow executive management assessment of the University’s ICT capability to sustain current operations, cater for growth and achieve the future vision.
This plan, along with the Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP) addresses the AUQA recommendation:
- AUQA recommends that USC develop a long-term ICT plan and reconsider its practices to fund strategic ICT capital infrastructure priorities in order to ensure that the strategic ICT needs of the University are adequately addressed.
This plan, along with the SAMP, paves the way for a coherent and structured approach to the development of systems to ensure that corporate systems are appropriately leveraged to effectively return business value on these significant investments in IT.
Wherever possible, relevant Strategic Plan Key Performance Indicators have been linked to the ICT Functional Plan objectives and strategies.
Further contextual information is provided at Appendix 1.
Objectives and strategies
Objective 1: Create a sustainable, scalable and resilient ICT infrastructure based on an enterprise architecture that supports sustainable growth through realising operational efficiencies while furthering organisational quality.
Strategies
1.1 Continue the replacement and expansion of ICT infrastructure to accommodate planned growth, including the development of new buildings and remote sites, and the rollout of wireless services.
1.2 Improve ICT business continuity through the establishment of a second data centre, enhancing network security and implementing archiving strategies.
1.3 Establishing longer-term infrastructure to support our Internet connection and growing capacity of our wide area network links to remote sites.
1.4 Design a structured program for reducing the ICT carbon footprint.
1.5 Establish an enterprise architecture that identifies business processes, information sources, and the supporting technical infrastructure.
This will be measured by:
Strategic Plan Key Performance Indicator 6.1
| Description |
Measures |
Target |
Responsibility |
Student feedback on infrastructure and services as measured through Australian Graduate Survey (AGS)
|
Annual percentage of Agreement (agree and strongly agree responses) in AGS Student Support Scale (satisfaction with student services and support resources) |
Improve the annual percentage of Agreement responses on the AGS Student Support Scale |
DVC, Directors: Information Services, Information Technology Services, Student Administration, Student Services |
|
Annual ranking relative to other Higher Education Providers for percentage of Agreement in AGS Student Support Scale |
Improve annual ranking relative to other Higher Education Providers for percentage of Agreement in the AGS Student Support Scale |
|
ICT Functional Plan Key Performance Indicator 1.4
| Description |
Measures |
Target |
Responsibility |
| Reduction of the ICT carbon footprint |
Design of a structured program which will influence the procurement, operation and disposal of ICT equipment |
Completion of program by end 2009 |
Director, IT Services |
Objective 2: Invest in ICT systems supporting streamlined business processes in order to realise productivity improvements
Strategies
2.1 Complete the implementation and replacement of the major administrative systems (HR, Payroll, Student, Finance).
2.2 Upgrade, replace or acquire other fundamental administrative systems including the records management system, timetabling system, curriculum management system, international relations system and the corporate website content management system.
2.3 Acquire and implement a standards compliant IT service and operations management system.
This will be measured by:
ICT Functional Plan Key Performance Indicator 2.1
| Description |
Measures |
Target |
Responsibility |
| Project plans are achieved as monitored by Steering Committees |
Projects prioritised and budgeted under SAMP completed within scope, quality, budget and timeframe as per project management plans |
Business processes streamlined and productivity improvements achieved as per individual project KPIs |
Director, IT Services; Project Manager; Business System Owner |
Objective 3: Develop personalised, intuitive and flexible access to information and services to empower students and staff, supporting the University’s commitment to ‘human scale’ development
Strategies
3.1 Develop identity and access management capabilities to facilitate the efficient provisioning and de-provisioning of ICT services and enhance single sign-on capabilities.
3.2 Develop an information management strategy that addresses the information lifecycle including information creation, classification, storage, digital rights, retrieval, archival and deletion.
3.3 Develop the USC portal to host and integrate University information repositories, enable information retrieval and deliver online services.
3.4 Upgrade the staff and student desktop computing environments with improved productivity tools and review the University’s email environment.
3.5 Create a mobility strategy that enhances flexibility of access to University resources and information including remote access.
3.6 Extend the rollout of web conferencing capabilities
3.7 Investigate customer relationship management and call centre technologies.
This will be measured by:
Strategic Plan Key Performance Indicator 7 – Other indicators of success
| Description |
Measures |
Target |
Responsibility |
| Student feedback on ICT services |
The Student Experience survey is being further developed to incorporate questions on a range of services including ICT services |
The content of the survey will be completed in 2008 with output available in 2009. An appropriate measure will be identified by the beginning of 2009 |
Director IT Services |
| Staff feedback on ICT services |
The Staff Climate Survey questions relating to technology |
Maintain or increase in positive evaluations of ICT delivery of technology/ICT services |
Director IT Services |
Objective 4: Deliver teaching facilities and educational technologies to support the evolving academic program and the e-learning strategy through flexible methods of student engagement and using media rich teaching and blended learning technologies
Strategies
4.1 Accommodate the ICT requirements of new courses as approved through the academic accreditation process.
4.2 Expand our lecture recording and video/audio streaming capabilities that integrate with our on-line learning environment.
4.3 Exploit the multimedia production studio to expand the development of rich content across all courses.
4.4 Expand the learning management system to include ePortfolios.
4.5 Continue the implementation of the work placement system.
4.6 Maximise the use of AV-enabled teaching spaces by considering flexible options to achieve increased satisfaction without comparable increases in available facilities.
4.7 Leverage student-owned notebook computing resources and wireless computing to provide students with greater access flexibility to information resources and services, while reducing demand on existing scarce laboratory infrastructure.
This will be measured by:
ICT Functional Plan Key Performance Indicator 4
| Description |
Measures |
Target |
Responsibility |
| Student feedback on ICT services and infrastructure |
Aggregated semester data for Student Feedback on Courses (SFC) item: “Information and communication technology (ICT) resources were readily accessible.” |
Achieve overall average score of at least 3.5 on a 5.0 point scale |
Director IT Services |
Objective 5: Implement technologies to support the University research effort
Strategies
51 Implement a research management information system to further the University’s research management capability.
5.2 Develop local ICT infrastructure to cater for priority research areas as well as sector standard eResearch service computational and collaboration capabilities.
53 Develop identity management consistent with the Australian Access Federation, along with bandwidth capabilities, to facilitate access to eResearch facilities, repositories and other federated services
This will be measured by:
ICT Functional Plan Key Performance Indicator 5.1
| Description |
Measures |
Target |
Responsibility |
| Project plans achieved |
Research Management System Project completed within scope, quality, budget and timeframe |
Business processes streamlined and productivity improvements achieved as per the project plan |
Director, IT Services; Director, TARS |
Objective 6: Engage in productive partnerships to further the region’s interests through shared ICT infrastructure
Strategies
6.1 Continue working closely with the Sunshine Coast Regional Council, Allegro networks and AARNet on the Clever Network project to realise the delivery of Internet capacity to support the University and region’s longer-term need.
6.2 Collaborate with local, state and national parties on the development of the Sunshine Coast Research and Education Network in support of:
- The Innovation Centre including Incubator and Accelerator
- The Sippy Downs technology park
- TAFE
- Regional schools
- The Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
6.3 Participate in regional ICT planning that promotes development of clean and sustainable industry on the Sunshine Coast.
This will be measured by:
Strategic Plan Key Performance Indicator 4.1
| Description |
Measures |
Target |
Responsibility |
| Engagement focussed on shared jointly funded infrastructure |
Number and value shared jointly funded infrastructure |
Annual increase in number and value of shared jointly funded infrastructure |
VC, CEO, Innovation Centre, Director, Regional Engagement |
| Engagement focussed on support to advance the knowledge economy |
Job and business creation data including range of services provided |
Annual increase in jobs and businesses created within the region |
VC, CEO, Innovation Centre, Director, Regional Engagement |
Appendix 1
ICT Infrastructure and Business Continuity
The University’s priorities in the integration and deployment of information and communication technology include continuing emphasis on the growth, sustainability, and robustness (including security) of our information infrastructure, the steady development of our learning environments in digital form, additional attention to service management issues and efficiencies throughout the University, and a focus on quality in an expanding range of digital resources developed across the University.
A greater emphasis and dependence on information systems requires a continuing focus on the development of effective business continuity strategies across all areas of the university.
Information Systems and Business Processes
With the first wave of administrative systems implemented within the University during its first decade, the focus was on the storage and reporting of data. With the implementation of the APIP project in 2008, this focus has moved from the relatively siloed approach for the administration of systems to one in which the devolution of access and responsibilities, combined with effective business processes are being developed. The integration of systems and automation of processes will become an increasingly important aspect of corporate systems development.
Staff and Student Access to Information and ICT Services
Technology as an enabler has moved through many paradigms, even within the short life of this University. While access to ICT resources has always been a given, such access has transformed from a campus delivery model to one of increasingly enabling online access via the Web. Over the next few years we can expect to see the need for increasing mobility that incorporates wireless with smart portable devices. Juxtaposed to this truly ever-present computing, is the increasing demand to deliver greener IT services.
ICT Supporting Evolving Academic Program and Flexible Teaching and Learning
It is now common for students to balance paid work commitments alongside their studies. For students undertaking full-time work, University study is competing with other lifestyle demands for a student's time. Many students are not seeking the same "campus experience" as previous generations. With rising student debt and the attractions of well paid job opportunities, it is probable that students will have higher expectations of their University experience, both in academic and service terms. The societal demands for convenience, along with a student population that is increasingly technologically literate, indicate a growing demand for technological sophistication with an expectation that time on campus will "add value" to what a student can receive electronically.
With broadband services spreading across the region, student access to USC’s virtual infrastructure will become more pervasive in the future. Issues with limited public transport, parking on campus, regional traffic congestion and escalating petrol pricing all lead to the conclusion that students will be demanding an improved online experience and are likely to benefit greatly from this added flexibility.
ICT Supporting Research
The University’s strategic focus on research is demanding a more engaged and flexible response in the provision of ICT resources and services. This parallels government demands for research funding to drive more cross-sector and commercial collaborative involvement on research initiatives. The demands of this approach are fuelling the eResearch agenda that is striving towards the delivery of transparent federated models of access to available research infrastructure.
To support the University’s involvement in the broader research agenda it is imperative that the University is able to collaborate with researchers on a global level and engage in eResearch at a level similar to those of our colleagues at other institutions. At the forefront of development activities to ensure we are not left behind are initiatives to see our Internet bandwidth increase and enabling our identity systems to federate with other systems across the sector. However, there is also demand for establishing on-campus resources to support research endeavours that are requiring the development of our internal support and infrastructure capabilities.
Regional engagement and shared infrastructure
USC has established itself as a regional university with a reputation for excelling in its regional engagement activities. Its Mission “To be the major catalyst for the innovative and sustainable economic, cultural and educational advancement of the region …” is being lived and realised through its engagement with the Regional Council, schools, businesses and community groups. The future technology park and regional hospital are areas that the University is not only taking an interest in, but endeavouring to play more than a superficial leadership role in their realisation by leveraging the University’s ICT infrastructure.
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