How do we invest in the right technologies to support learning, teaching and research for years to come?

That was the question discussed by the University’s extended IT community at ‘Future Proof IT’ on 18 August.

The aims of the one-day conference were to look ahead to the ever-evolving IT landscape, and to consider IT at the heart of the campus development.

Staff gave lightning talks on teaching, smart campus, Blended and Online Learning Development (BOLD) and more, and three SRC sabbaticals came to give the student perspective – the first time the SRC had addressed an IT audience.

External speakers included JISC Futurologist Martin Hamilton, who inspired delegates with visions of future careers (asteroid miner anyone?) and the implications of automation and AI; while representatives from Cisco and Microsoft showcased advances in smart networking and software.

Among the suppliers exhibiting at the event were two takes on augmented reality: students from UofG Computing Science demonstrated their Discovery Tour app intended to help new students find their way round campus, and Microsoft offered demonstrations of their HoloLens headset.

Hololens demonstration

Dr David Duncan, Chief Operating Officer and University Secretary, spoke about the challenges ahead including funding constraints, student expectations, and the risk of taking a wrong turn.

Addressing the conference he said: “It is surely essential that we continue to scan the horizon and explore new opportunities to enhance learning and teaching by the skilful use of new technologies. Similarly, we need to make optimal use of existing technologies and software, and to design digitally enhanced teaching spaces that are genuinely transformative.”

David Anderson, IT Services Head of Service Delivery and Customer Relations, said: “It was fantastic to see such a broad range of colleagues from around the campus. The event stimulated many useful conversations on how we can best make use of existing and developing technology to deliver the University’s aspirations. I look forward to these conversations continuing.”

Look out for podcasts of the talks at this event coming soon.

#UofGFuture

First published: 22 August 2017

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