This project list was updated in December 2022.
What is the project about?
UL@Work is an initiative developed by UL and funded through the Human Capital Initiative (HCI) to deliver the enterprise priority set out in UL’s strategic plan - UL@50. UL@Work will build a flexible, technology-enhanced learning platform that responds to digitisation and the future world of work. There are seven work packages within the UL@Work initiative, the VLE review and implementation falling under work package two (WP2) ULive.
The VLE review and implementation project aims to research select and implement an online learning platform to support:
- The UL campus community for their online teaching, learning and assessment needs.
- A VLE that aligns with the UL Strategic Plan to grow and improve UL’s national and international educational offerings.
What does it mean for you?
By the end of this project, UL will support one single VLE for all UL programs. The new VLE will be procured from suppliers approved within the HEA framework. UL’s new VLE will deliver significant teaching and learning improvements to the academic community and support best practice in pedagogy, methods, and technology for implementation.
Status
The project is in the Execute Phase, status green. From January-June 2021 a first Phase VLE Review was carried out engaging with the wider campus community, students and other higher education institutions. The outcome from the Review is that Brightspace best meet UL’s requirements.
Approx. 20 modules began using the new VLE Brightspace in September 2022 with additional phases running in January 2023, September 2023 and January 2024.
What is the project about?
The Corporate Secretary's Office received legal advice from Arthur Cox Solicitors, with regard to persons who have left employment at the University of Limerick retaining access to their email and other business systems after their departure date.
In addition to the legal concerns, there are governance issues and significant additional risks which have been identified by the PWC Internal Control Recommendations Internal Audit Review (IA 2020-02 Starters & Leavers). The primary aim of the project is to address the legal advice and audit findings.
The scope of the project covers UL Direct employees, External Contractors, Affiliates, Tenants, Guests and Research & Professional Doctorate Postgraduate students.
What does it mean for you?
Access to key university systems will be removed in a timely manner for people who leave employment at the University of Limerick. System access will be linked to a person’s contract of employment. For Research and Professional Doctorate Postgraduate student accounts, account access will be retained for 365 days after graduation.
Status
The project is in the Execute Phase, focusing on implementing an automated process for UL direct employees. Changes to Research and Professional Doctorate Postgraduate student accounts ae also being implemented.
What is the project about?
The University of Limerick Executive Committee have given direction that certain training is mandatory for all staff. The Learning and Development unit requires a Learning Management System (LMS) to fulfill this requirement and also to manage the general training requirements for university staff.
A Learning Management System (LMS) is a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting, automation, and delivery of learning and development programs. This project will focus on developing a Project Initiation Document, including initial sales engagement with one or more potential suppliers to help provide a high-level sizing for the project.
What does it mean for you?
As this is a project to develop a Project Initial Document and high-level sizing, it will not have any direct impact on employees. It is however, the first step toward deploying a Learning Management System at the University of Limerick which will have benefits for employees with respect to the management of training requirements and records.
Status
The project is almost complete. The Project Initial Document (PID) has been completed and implementation of an LMS system is currently being discussed as part of the Digital Governance prioritisation process.
Recently upgraded meeting room with new TV Display and video soundbar.
New ways of meeting – ITD has been planning for hybrid meetings and how it can work for your part of the University.
UL Executive following a recommendation from Space Management Committee, have provided funding to fit out a specified meeting rooms across the campus to enable hybrid working, while ITD are leading the way with implementing this.
In a hybrid working model, the use of physical meeting rooms needs to be integrated with Microsoft Teams online meetings when some attendees are in the physical meeting room on campus and other attendees are working from home. It is therefore necessary to install equipment in meeting rooms to enable them function in a Teams (or other online meeting platform) meeting.
The equipment required will vary in each meeting room depending on existing equipment and room size, but at a minimum a video camera, microphone, speakers and display screen will be available.
What does it mean for you?
For the agreed list of meeting rooms, all Meeting Room Owners have already been contacted by the ITD Project Manager. 42 rooms have already been completed and meeting room owners have received 1-1 training and can provide you with room support. Further help can be found on Topdesk via https://ul.topdesk.net/ (search for Hybrid Meeting Rooms).
Our top tip is to allow a few minutes before your meeting starts to check all is ready to go and your online participants are all set up.
Status
42 meeting rooms have recently been upgraded across multiple buildings across the campus and a plan to upgrading another 10 rooms in Q1, 2023.
The project is in the Plan Phase, status Green.
What was the Project About?
Aligned with the University’s Policy and Procedure for Blended Working, which was signed off by Governing Authority, highlighted the need for a Blended Working Application Form.
In partnership with Human Resources, ITD delivered the online application form to enable our staff to submit their Blended Working request. As part of the solution, there are approvals and e-mail notifications in place as well as reporting and tracking functionality.
There are three key components to the Blended Working Application Form:
- Ability to complete & submit the online form (PowerApps).
- Ability to assign the online form to your Line Manager for approval, triggering approval e-mails (PowerAutomate).
- Reporting – This captures a full audit trail of the process, including the respective data fields, date and time stamps (Sharepoint Online).
What did this mean for you?
In compliance with the Policy and Procedure for Blended Working, if you wish to be considered for a Blended Working model you will need to complete the online application. The link to the online application is as follows.
Status
This project is currently in the ramp phase.
Background
As part of its strategy, the University of Limerick aims to increase the number of international students. To support this strategy
ITD’s Business Engagement Partner worked in conjunction with UL Global and Academic Registry to facilitate the UL Global request (via Tender).
The service comprising of an online platform will connect UL Offer-Holders (for example students going on Erasmus to another University or coming into UL) with peer Offer-Holders, current students, staff and alumni.
The service provided by the successful tenderer could be availed of by any Department of the University of Limerick that is resourced to implement the service. ITD’s involvement in the tender ensured compliance with best practices and followed UL’s Enterprise Architecture Principles and IT Security Policy.
The following table outlines the key ‘high-level’ phases within the overall project.
| Project Phase | Planned Start Dates |
|---|---|
| Requirements and Specifications | Completed |
| Open for Tender Responses | Completed |
| Evaluation of Tender Responses | Completed |
| Award & Contractual Agreements | In Progress |
Why are we doing this?
- To align with UL’s Strategic Goal to increase international student numbers.
- To improve efficiency of processes through automation and digitisation.
Impacted Services/What does it mean for you?
- Students engaging in Erasmus, Study Abroad and International Exchange programmes will be sent information on how to engage with the app.
- Future roll outs of the App could include CAO Undergraduate Applicants.