Annual Report 2008 - Central Queensland University

Resource &
Workplace
Efficiency
The Java Enterprise Suite upgrade was completed enabling stable and highly available
single sign on capabilities for many corporate applications, including CQUCentral
and Student Portal and Webmail. Additionally, new robust versions of Student Portal
and Student Webmail were delivered improving services for our students and the
foundation component for controlling entry into our systems, Access Manager, was
deployed in a highly stable and reliable configuration.
78
CQUniversity has
undertaken a Work
Wellness project,
lead by Dr Pierre
Viljoen and Dr
Marilyn Fisher
(pictured) to find
out more about
its staff and their
experience at the
University amidst a
constantly changing
work environment,
in order to ensure
they are best-placed
to serve students.
Network Communications
In February the Mackay Campus suffered significant flooding which rendered the
telephone system damaged beyond repair. Significant damage also occurred to all
underground cabling in four buildings and between buildings. The telephone system
was replaced with a Voice over IP solution with initial service available within three
days and the deployment continued throughout the year across the entire campus.
A joint agreement with James Cook University (JCU) was developed to construct
the Sunshine Backbone in association with the Australian Academic and Research
Network (AARNet) to provide a 10Gb service to all CQUniversity and JCU coastal
campuses. The network will be provisioned by Powerlink (a Queensland State
Government body) via fibre optic cable embedded in the earth wire on high voltage
power transmission towers.
ICT Capability and Skills
The University’s primary ICT capability is created through the Information
Technology Division (ITD). Developments and achievements in 2008 include:
ITD Restructure
ITD was completely restructured in early 2008 with all IT related support functions
across the University centralised to the Division. ITD’s structure and operations
were re-designed based on the principles of a service focus (rather than technical),
increased efficiency, standardisation of service delivery, and an improved project
management capability.
The Division is continuing its investment in the development of client service skills,
professional skills, project management and leadership, and is benchmarking service
delivery against external IT service organisations.
Leadership Development Program
ITD expanded its leadership development program to include more staff. This
program aims to enhance ITD’s capacity to deliver value to the University, to
provide a more effective leadership resource for the University, and to plan for
the University’s future by identifying and developing future leaders. A successful
2008 program focused on leadership, team performance, culture and values based
recruitment. The program culminated in a squad of prospective and emerging
leaders being identified and a series of real life “action learning” projects being
undertaken.
Communication, Consultation and Feedback
Building and maintaining strong client relationships are integral to the effective
provision of ICT services and a range of communication, consultation and feedback
mechanisms have been deployed.
In 2008, ITD commenced the implementation of a Client Partnering initiative to
improve communication between ITD and its clients, to ensure alignment of ITD’s
operations with business requirements, and to provide client groups with access
to ICT expertise and advice. The focus is on partnership, whereby ITD and client
groups work together to ensure most effective use of ICT’s for the University. The
ICT Management Plan annual development process also incorporates consultation
with a cross-section of stakeholders through various mediums to identify ICT
priorities, issues and opportunities.