[JISC has been at the forefront of many global technology
developments for education and research. They have been one of the
early champions of the use of clouds and understanding the impact of
Green IT-- BSA]
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/Home/news/stories/2009/12/strategy.aspx
JISC launches 2010-2012 strategy
The UK is at risk of losing its world-leading reputation for
education, unless it continues to invest in digital technologies to
meet the ever-changing needs of modern learners, researchers and the
academic community says JISC, in its three-year strategy which
launches today.
The strategy1 outlines a vision of the future whereby a robust
technological infrastructure is required to meet the shifting needs of
the 21st century education community. JISC believes it is crucial that
the UK’s education system continues to compete on the international
stage by investing in innovation, research and increasing the
availability of online resources.
Recent JISC projects, such as the Google Generation and sustainable
ICT studies, have defined a new world for teaching and learning and
have outlined the infrastructure needed to support it. With new
technologies constantly evolving, sustained investment is needed to
pioneer their use. Over the last decade JISC has invested its research
and development funds in around 200 universities and colleges to help
uncover new products, approaches and systems as well as increase
skills and capacity.
JISC through JANET has developed a world-leading computer network and
technical backbone which has transformed the way that technology is
used and understood. Now, a network once used by a select few purely
for cutting-edge research allows millions in education and research to
share, manipulate, analyse and reuse digital content from around the
world. It is also the first national research and education network in
the world to complete a 100Gbit/s network trial that is nearly two
hundred thousand times faster than the average broadband connection.
As the web continues to transform life in the education sector, JISC,
through its services will guide individuals and organisations to make
effective use of digital technology through training and staff
development
JISC’s strategy outlines four key areas of investment:
* effective, creative approaches to teaching and an enhanced
learning experience;
* increased research quality and innovative approaches to support
the research process;
* efficient and effective institutions;
* shared infrastructure and resources.
Within these four areas, focus will be given to online learning,
management information systems, cloud computing, innovation and
impact.
The launch of JISC's strategy 2010-2012, follows a period of
consultation in which UK higher and further education institutions,
membership bodies, mission groups, and key partners were invited to
respond and help inform the strategy’s final direction. The strategy
has been written to ensure JISC’s planned future investment
priorities focus on the areas of greatest importance to those in
education and research.