June 2005 - News

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Million-Dollar Web Portal

The University has received confirmation from a US-based consortium that it is to receive more than $1 million worth of products and services over the next five years to develop and support web-based 'portal' technologies.

The CampusEAI Consortium, which made the award, is a non-profit organisation created to address the unique needs of educational institutions and other non-profit-making organisations in the areas of software development and digital content distribution.

The University joins a number of institutions worldwide (4 in the UK, 35 in the USA and a number in Asia and Australia) that have benefited from this award already. The other three UK institutions that have already benefited from CampusEAI grants are the Universities of Exeter, Staffordshire and Dundee.

Graham Hill, Director of Management Information Services at the University of Bradford, said: "I am delighted to say that we are the first UK institution to benefit from this level of funding from the Consortium.

"This will boost our already well-developed 'e-Strategy' by allowing the creation of an online environment that can be customised by every member of the campus community.

"This means that when staff and students browse the Internet, they will be able to view all the things that are important or of interest to them. Anything from the latest news in one corner to a reminder about their overdue library books in another.

"Another great feature is that people will only have to enter one set of log in details - which takes some of the pain out of remembering lots of passwords and usernames."

The CampusEAI Oracle Portal Grant Program is designed to cover the costs of software, hardware and services associated with the implementation of the CampusEAI Oracle Portal system, an intranet portal that integrates with online learning, administrative computing and student services systems.

The University of Bradford has received a full grant of $1.242 million over five years (approximately £653,246). This includes hardware, software, project management, installation and training costs necessary to install and operate a CampusEAI Oracle Portal.

Using this funding, the University plans to develop the following:

• A web-enabled campus supported by mobile computing and wireless networking
• Web-enabled services for students, staff, business and research partners
• Flexible learning support using web-based learning materials as part of a mix of face-to-face and at-a-distance learning

These improvements to web technology form part of the University of Bradford's e-Strategy. The University has already made a number of steps forward in delivering its e-Strategy, including:

• Moving towards a wireless access for flexible learners
• Free Ethernet access for students from University-owned Halls of Residence
• Provision for student purchase of customised laptops and PCs
• The Home Computer Initiative (HCI) saving staff 20-40% on the cost of a PC

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12 July 2005

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