Information and communication technologies (ICT) such as remote web access, thin client, and videoconferencing can enable staff to work more efficiently and flexibly. They can support space-efficient office layouts, working from home or other remote locations, more effective working ‘on site’ (e.g. estates staff and lab workers), and the replacement of physical meetings with virtual ones.
These developments can reduce building requirements (a major environmental as well as business benefit), minimise transport, enhance work-life balance, and increase productivity. However, they also have potential downsides, and there is often scepticism about the real benefits they provide.
Aims of the workshop
The morning of this workshop will focus on QMU’s use of thin client, open plan office working, and other ICT-related technologies in its new campus. This has 70% less floor space than its predecessor, and achieved the highest BREEAM rating (a measure of environmental performance) of any UK HE site. The afternoon will be devoted to two innovative examples of remote working, and conferencing.
Both sessions should therefore be of interest to:
- Senior managers wishing to introduce new ways of working to their institution
- Estates directors and other staff seeking more effective utilisation of space
- IT directors, and other staff, interested in strategic linkages between ICT innovation and organisational effectiveness
Provisional Agenda
| Time |
Programme activity |
| 10.00 - 10.30 |
Registration and Refreshments |
| 10.30 - 10.45 |
New Ways of Working - An Overview of Business and Sustainability Issues
Peter James, Professor of Environmental Management, University of Bradford |
| 10.45 - 12.15 |
The New Queen Margaret University Campus
Steve Scott, Director, Estates, Queen Margaret University
Fraser Muir, Director, Information Services, Queen Margaret University
Stephen Blowers, Associate Architect, Dyer |
| 12.15 - 13.30 |
Site Tour and Lunch |
| 13.30 - 14.00 |
Panel Discussion with Queen Margaret Staff |
| 14.00 - 14.50 |
Successful Remote Working in FHE
Mark Abrams, Director, Business Development Support Office, Coventry University & Leader, JISC Exemplar Project on Remote Working |
| 15.00 - 15.50 |
Effective Virtual Meetings in Higher Education
Philip Davison, Manager, Welsh Video Network (A JANET (UK) managed service serving all FHE bodies in Wales, sponsored by HEFCW and the Welsh Assemby Government |
| 15.50 - 16.30 (approx) |
Panel discussion - speakers and expert |
Registration
This event is free of charge to attend. Register via the online booking form Places are limited so, subject to room capacity, we can only guarantee one place per institution (or two where this is to enable cross-functional working, eg. between Estates and IT). Additional places will be confirmed by 1 June 2008. Knowledgeable vendors who can contribute their experience to the discussions are also welcome. As we expect the event to be very popular, cancellations after 14 August 2008, and no shows that are not due to illness or unavoidable circumstances will also be charged at £100.
Register online to attend
Contact
For all queries relating to these workshops please contact Dawn Kelly, e: jisc@inanyevent-uk.com, t: +44 (0)117 989 8509
Other workshops
This workshop is one of 6 workshops running over the next few months. Confirmed workshops that you also might like to attend are:
For more information about this project and future workshops you can also visit the project webpage (Suste-IT).