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The issue Efficient ICT systems support high performing institutions which are well-placed to compete nationally and internationally. Universities and colleges need to procure ICT systems to run every aspect of their business. Rapidly changing demands require systems to be flexible and adaptable,...

The issue As education funding is reduced and the cost to individuals rises, the market for further and higher education is becoming more consumer-led. Student expectations are also increasing. Prospective students are now more likely to find information about courses via their laptops than in a...

The issue Intellectual property rights and licensing have become key issues as more and more digital content has gone online. Institutions need to know how to share and protect their own outputs while not infringing the rights of others. The huge potential of digital technology has also helped...

The issue Education providers have to give staff and students a password and username so they can access online systems or content securely. That can mean providing them with access to multiple systems with differing levels of security. Simple, secure access has such wide-reaching benefits that...

Open source software can allow universities and colleges to evaluate and try out software without major up-front investment. Anyone can download the source code of open source software, then view or alter it without paying a licence fee. Programmes can be customised to make organisations more...

The issue Opening up your institution’s wealth of unique materials through digitisation would give you a competitive edge at a time of rising student and academic expectations. However, at a time of severe budget cuts, carefully considered business models are required if institutions are to reap...

The issue UK institutions need to compete more strongly than ever for international students as well as produce graduates with the skills and confidence to enter the global job market. This requires a wider, more visionary approach to internationalisation. What you can do The benefits of a...

The issue Universities increase the impact of their research when they engage in research collaborations with external organisations. They also gain knowledge, enhance their reputations, earn revenue and deliver direct benefit to the economy and society. What you can do Build an institutional...

The issue Research data management is important for institutions as well as researchers . As the volume and complexity of digital research data increases, so does the need to address the challenges of managing, selecting, retaining and storing it. What you can do How well are you doing? To maintain...

The issue In a world where many research challenges are too big for a single institution to tackle - and the best facilities attract the best researchers - institutions must collaborate in order to remain competitive. What you can do Digital technologies enable researchers to collaborate in cross-...