IT Services Annual Review

2016

Introduction

Welcome to this, the fourth, annual review from IT Services which I hope you will find informative

and interesting. The review is designed to give you an insight into the initiatives that IT Services has

been pursuing to enhance the student experience, support all of the University staff and provide

facilities for visitors.

As you will read, there have been many new functions provided alongside improvements to

existing services. The University continues to invest significantly in its IT capabilities allowing us to

provide a first class service to all our users.

It was immensely gratifying that, as a result of the work done during 2015 / 16, IT Services

improved its result in the National Student Survey to the point where 95% of the students

expressed their satisfaction with the IT facilities provided by the University. To put this in context:-

Our score was the second highest in the overall table of established Universities (only

behind Oxford and Cambridge who had the joint highest score)

we are now the best in the North West, ahead of University of Liverpool, University of

Manchester, Liverpool John Moores, Edge Hill and Chester

You can be assured that we have no intention of resting on our laurels. We have a major program

of developments scheduled for 2016 / 17, a small selection of which is set out in the final page of

this review.

None of this would be possible if the University was not blessed with an exceptional team of staff

within the IT Services department. Their skills and expertise allied to established practices and

procedures allow the department to provide this outstanding level of service. It is fitting that I take

this opportunity to thank all of my colleagues within IT Services, colleagues from other areas and

the students who have provided invaluable support and guidance to us over the course of the year.

I am always keen to hear the views of staff and students about the service provided by the

Department. Once you have read this review, do please share your feedback and experiences with

us. By all means, contact me directly with any comments you might have.

Kind Regards

Mike Beecroft

Director of IT Services

Free Copies of Microsoft Office Students and staff have been given access to web based versions of popular office packages

including the ability to download a free copy of the full Microsoft Office 2016 suite to personal

devices

Health Sciences Building The new Health Sciences building was commissioned with wired and wireless network

infrastructure, Telephony and Desktop and AVA equipment including two digital signage screens, a

new computer lab and sensory lab installations

Sports Complex The new Sports Complex has also been commissioned with wired and wireless network

infrastructure, Telephony and Desktop and AVA equipment throughout, including two lecture

theatres

Supporting Student EngagementA new facility was introduced which identified students who may have issues in attending teaching

events. This allowed the tutors to engage in a dialogue with affected students in order for them to

understand the situation and help address it

Health QuestionnaireA simplified, more automated system was introduced to enable applicants to supply the requisite

information for the University to assess suitability to teach/practice before they start their course.

University Dashboard A new Dashboard system was launched to provide real time analysis of data which ensures that

departments have the Management Information they need. This includes various information

relating to the student body including progression rates, retention rates etc.

Document Repository A facility was introduced to enable documents to be stored electronically in the Student Records

System (SITS). This has initially been introduced for International student records and students’

Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs)

Annual Review and Enhancement On-Line System This on-line system enables Heads of Department and Deans to complete their annual review

documentation. The system includes pre populated University Data at a course and departmental

level

New Services

Future Developments

Future Developments

The team provide lighting and sound support for many high profile events including:

Conferences• Northern Catholic Conference attended by 250 guests

• EYPUK attended by 200 guests

• Christian Faith, Formation and Education International Conference organised by the Department of Theology, Philosophy and Religious Studies

• History of Education Conference

• Annual Conference of the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Centre for War and Peace Studies

• Mariapolis Conference attended by 200 guests

• First Diocesan Clergy Conference attended by 400 guests

• SIG Writing Conference organised by the Department of Psychology and attended by over 200

guests

Guest Lectures and Gala Dinners • Archbishop Blanch Lecture attended by 300 guests

• Inaugural lectures for Professors David Fleming, David Chester and Mehmet Dorak

• Annual Hopkins Lecture given by Professor David Crystal

• Professor Sir Mark Hedley Lecture Series

• Professorial Lecture – Sir Howard Newby

• Chancellor’s Dinners hosted by Lord Guthrie

Conferences and University

Events

Campus Wide • All staff and student open access PCs have been upgraded to provide Office 2016

• The latest Adobe Creative Cloud Suite software has been updated on all PCs in computer labs

and open access areas providing students with easier access to a greater range of Adobepackages

• Investment in MicroDiet software has allowed it to be installed on an increased number ofstudent facing computers

• IBM SPSS software has been upgraded to version 23

• Software on the PCs in the CAT (Computers with Assistive Technology) suites has beenupgraded to the latest versions

• Inspiration 9.2 and Read & Write 11 software has been installed on all student PCs

Creative Campus • New high definition projection equipment has been installed in the Capstone Theatre

• Improvement to the facilities in the Capstone building CAT suite

• Upgraded software versions in the iMac suite within the Capstone building

Hope Park • The remaining PC’s in the Sheppard-Worlock library have been fitted with hardware delivering a

more responsive PC experience throughout the library. In addition, the 39 PCs in the rear of theSheppard-Worlock library have been increased in capacity

• AV equipment has been installed in four newly created teaching spaces in the Eden Buildingproviding additional teaching facilities

• 20 new high performance PCs have been installed in FML413 running Microsoft Windows 10supporting the delivery of modern course content

• £30K has been invested in a new lighting rig in the TV Studio delivering improved flexibility andfunctionality

• A new audio system was installed in the Senate Room providing a more robust and manageableaudio solution

• Enhanced audio facilities have been installed in the LHBS007 and Eden036 lecture spacesincluding lectern and lapel microphone

• Expanded availability of technical software utilised by Mathematics & Computing, Psychologyand Health Sciences e.g. Matlab.

• Isolated IT network for Mathematics & Computer Sciences

Investments in Teaching Facilities

Improvements to Facilities

Hope Institutional Research Archive (HIRA) Building upon our REF 2014 submission, the Institutional Repository was relaunched as Hope

Institutional Research Archive with further improvements, more information and better access.

This supports the University objective for greater open access of material.

Security Access

A new swipe security access solution has been implemented providing a single system across all

campuses and much faster distribution of security access permissions

Higher Education Achievement Record The Student Higher Education Achievement Record (HEAR) which is issued after graduation

was expanded to include new sections relating to Sporting Clubs, Societies and University

Committees which students have been involved in

A facility was also introduced to record details of work that students had done via the Hope

Works initiative.

Learning Support Plans Improvements have been made to these plans including: -

A facility to allow Applicants to approve their Learning Support Plan (LSP) before arriving at

the University enabling staff to view new student LSPs at a much earlier stage and allowing

them to put early interventions in place for students pre arrival

A new, improved design of the plans was introduced for both students and staff to make

them easier to read

Data Management System The facility which consolidates student and department data for analytical purposes was enhanced

further to include a Graduate Employment measure

Staff Allocation Model A facility which works alongside the timetable to allocate academic staff to teaching events in their

courses was enhanced to include additional types of event

Academic Performance Review The Academic Performance Review system utilised by the Science faculty has been upgraded to

access more data automatically and be consistent with the latest forms. This was piloted in the

Science Faculty with a view to a fuller rollout in 2016 /17.

Improvements to Facilities

MyHope The MyHope Service which is the main conduit to all student and staff facilities has been moved to

new infrastructure which has increased performance and security features. Further functions have

been added and the staff version has been brought in line with the student look

eduroam The University wireless service, eduroam, has been updated to allow external visitors from

participating institutions to use the Liverpool Hope facility

Network Infrastructure New equipment has been installed to:

• Increase network bandwidth tenfold in the Gateway Building which will particular benefit Wi-Fi

users

• Increase the security on staff / student facilities and data

• Improve the resilience of the core University IT network and its links with external services

An extensive program of software upgrades has also been undertaken on network infrastructure

devices to deliver increased security and reliability

Other Equipment • Additional PCs have been installed in the Gateway building Student Success Zone delivering

increased computer availability 24 hours a day

• A new 49” LED TV has been installed in the Cornerstone student lounge area

Telephony A continued replacement program of telephony equipment has been undertaken

Conferences and University

Events

The team provide lighting and sound support for many high profile events including:

Conferences• Northern Catholic Conference attended by 250 guests

• EYPUK attended by 200 guests

• Christian Faith, Formation and Education International Conference organised by theDepartment of Theology, Philosophy and Religious Studies

• History of Education Conference

• Annual Conference of the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Centre for War and Peace Studies

• Mariapolis Conference attended by 200 guests

• First Diocesan Clergy Conference attended by 400 guests

• SIG Writing Conference organised by the Department of Psychology and attended by over 200

guests

Guest Lectures and Gala Dinners • Archbishop Blanch Lecture attended by 300 guests

• Inaugural lectures for Professors David Fleming, David Chester and Mehmet Dorak

• Annual Hopkins Lecture given by Professor David Crystal

• Professor Sir Mark Hedley Lecture Series

• Professorial Lecture – Sir Howard Newby

• Chancellor’s Dinners hosted by Lord Guthrie

Conferences and University Events

Continued

Capstone Theatre

A varied programme including:

• Liverpool International Jazz Festival 2016 including artists such as Courtney Pine, Pascal

Schumacher and Andy Sheppard

• Cornerstone Festival 2015 including Ensembles in Residence collaboration, the Grand Band,

Tooth + Nail Theatre Company with their show Parlour games and Milapfest presents

Ramprapanna Bhattacharya & Kousic Sen

• Milapfest Indika Festival 2016 featuring high profile Indian Classical artists in dance and music

attended by over 250 guests with traditional Indian performers which included the relaunching

of the Tarang Orchestra

• Milapfest International Dance Collaboration – Swadesh

• Philharmonic Youth Choir

• Liverpool Mozart Orchestra

• Joanne MacGregor recitals

• Liverpool One Church

Planned Future Developments

Data Management Various initiatives will be progressed to provide University data in easily read and analysed formats

Lecture Capture A pilot of a lecture capture facility will be undertaken in designated teaching areas providing audio

and screen capture facilities

Student Registration Facilities will be provided to allow additional elements of the registration process to be completed

prior to arrival, further streamlining the student registration experience

Research Additional facilities will be developed to support the management of Post Graduate

courses and the students taking them

Introduction of the Hope Impact capture system, a tool to help researchers plan,

organise, document and capture the impact of their research in preparation for the next

REF

Initial Teacher Training Interviews An electronic system will be developed to improve the interview process for Initial Teacher

Training courses.

Student Records Management (SRM) A full review of the SRM will be conducted to identify changes to improve the student and staff

experience

Document Repository Extend the use of the electronic document repository system to make information more readily

available to students and staff

Course Development A new course approving system which will be extended to the production of other documentation

including course handbooks and Key Information Set (KIS) data

Technical Developments Improvements to the efficiency of the wired and wireless network services

All compatible computers will be upgraded to the Microsoft Windows 10 platform

Support of the IT components of the University website

IT Services

Hope Park

Taggart Avenue

T: 0151 291 2100

E: ITShelp@hope.ac.uk www.hope.ac.uk

Planned Future Developments

IT Services Annual Review

2016

IT Services

Hope Park

Taggart Avenue

T: 0151 291 2100

E: ITShelp@hope.ac.ukwww.hope.ac.uk

Planned Future Developments

IT Services Annual Review

2016