LIS Restructuring Latest
The new IT Services department will be responsible for delivering technology provision to University staff.
Further details of, and a 'launch date' for, the re-structured Learning and Information Services has now been given.
Connected previously reported that LIS was to be split into two departments.
Effective from August 1 (2010) the two new departments will be Information Technology Services (ITS), led executively by Deputy Chief Executive and Finance Director Hari Punchihewa, and Learning Enhancement and Innovation (LEI), led executively by Pro Vice Chancellor Liz Barnes.
Learning Enhancement and Innovation
LEI has been established to support the University in providing a quality and responsive student learning experience.
The new post of Dean of Learning Enhancement and Innovation, has now been advertised by the University.
The department will have three Centres focusing on key areas as below :
- Centre for Learning and Teaching - enhancement of academic practice including strategic responsibility for learning and teaching, Continuous Professional development (CPD) for academic and learning support staff, programme design and delivery, and technology-enhanced learning;
- Centre for Learner Support - coordinating and enhancing learner support; providing library physical and virtual facilities, and collection; and support for the student learning experience;
- Centre for Quality - ensuring maintenance of academic quality and standards through formal quality assurance activities.
A Senior Management team has been confirmed at present to lead the structuring of these Centres. Professor Barbara Dexter is Acting Head of the Centre for Teaching and Learning; Pat Johnson is Head of the Centre for Learner Support which includes the libraries. Dr Colin Fryer and Sharon Sanderson continue in their current roles as University Quality Managers, and are joint Head of the Centre for Quality.
Richard Maccabee continues to work with Liz to assist with the LEI's formation, until he leaves the University at the end of July.
The final organisation structure of LEI will be concluded after further consultations with the staff and management. There are a number of workshops already organised to discuss the key themes and what is required to deliver them.
Information Technology Services
IT Services is responsible for delivering the University's technology provision.
This includes dealing with:
- the underlying server;
- storage and networking infrastructure;
- managing the estate of IT equipment;
- desktops for staff and students;
- delivering corporate applications such as PeopleSoft, UDo and Blackboard.
In addition, IT Services will provide the IT service desk and customer support functions alongside the IT change management services relating to strategic projects.
Neil Williams, formerly University Head of IT and E-Learning Development, has now been appointed Director of Information Technology Services.
The organisational structure of the IT Services department is being finalised and the process of recruiting to the new structure is ongoing.
Two key functional units are set up under the Director. They are IT Operations and IT Service Delivery.
Ken Barnes has taken over IT Operations on an interim basis until a suitable permanent appoint is made. Trudy Newton heads up the IT Service Delivery Unit.
IT Operations is responsible for the operational management and development of all technology services including applications, servers, networking and communications.
IT Service Delivery is responsible for all customer facing services including the IT service desk, IT training, business analysis and project management support.
