JISC

JISC executive secretary Dr Malcolm Read has called for more investment in cloud computing in front of an international audience today.

Speaking to policy makers, funders, vendors and researchers at a workshop in Belgium run by e-Infranet, which develops policies to promote world-class ICT infrastructures, Dr Read said: “In an uncertain funding climate it’s essential that we prioritise.  Cloud computing can give universities access to economies of scale which offers real financial benefits – as well as the potential to improve your carbon footprint and deal more flexibly with the changing needs of students and staff in the fast-moving university environment.”

He added: “Our studies show that many universities and colleges in the UK are interested in harnessing cloud computing power – but fewer are actually using it.”

JISC’s studies last year revealed that few universities have formal polices on the adoption or use of cloud computing -  even though it is widely accepted that a centrally managed approach to contracting cloud computing services is required for real efficiency benefits.

Dr Read said: “Researchers and higher education staff need to be able to trust the reliability and integrity of the cloud they use so we need to invest in better services and ensure that they meet the very specific needs of our academic communities.”

JISC is currently funding 11 pilot cloud projects together with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council to look into the usefulness of the cloud for research in more detail and find out what the benefits and issues are.

JISC is also funding projects that are transitioning service solutions into the cloud in research management, core and corporate information management and student services. These projects will be reporting in July 2011.

JISC is also managing HEFCE’s university modernisation fund to establish a central brokerage service for a central UK higher education cloud.