Ural Federal University Steps Ahead With Developing Digital Tools for Personalization of Education
UrFU Scientific Council discussed informatization during its regular session. Andrey Poltavets, Vice Rector for Information Technology, made a report. More details about his presentation are available in the latest edition of the Urals Federal Newspaper (№3, February 20).
Over the past year, the IT Directorate has done a great deal of work in three major areas. This included the modernization and maintenance of infrastructure, the development of digital competencies of employees, and the improvement of information systems and services. Among other things, the projects are part of the “Priority 2030” program. Another noteworthy achievement was winning the Global CIO competition with the project “Consolidation of the university’s corporate server infrastructure and centralized resource provisioning”.
The systematic work on the development of infrastructure and services will continue in 2023. In particular, it is planned to reconstruct the networks of two dormitories and continue the reconstruction the network of multimedia classroms on Lenina Avenue 51, the launch of e-access, support and acceptance of capital construction projects (on the road Novokoltsovskiy, SKIVS, track and field arena), as well as the third phase of the main line circuit, particularly to reinforce security. Also a number of works on import substitution of corporate mail and user directory will be made.
In the field of improving information systems and services this year will develop tools for personalization of education, and continue integration with educational portals for the import of learning results. Moreover, will continue development of BI-tools functions, analytical services and data storage, including open source products and domestic software for proactive management of assets, analysis of scientific productivity of departments, human resources, efficiency of teaching staff, personal account services partner, the finalization of development of services scientific block “Website of scientific events”, “Scientific academic mobility”, etc. In addition, development of the “UrFU.Studying” mobile app, as well as the introduction of several new modules, and the continued development of corporate training programs.
A separate set of works to be performed by DIT this year is related to software import substitution.
“In February 2023, a number of foreign hardware and software manufacturers refused to renew licenses and technical support for their software products,” said Andrey Poltavets, “including AutoDesk, Adobe, Corel, Solidworks, Microsoft, Citrix, HPE, Cisco, NetApp. That is why already in 2021-2022 we have undertaken a number of measures to reduce the risks of IT infrastructure elements and software discontinuity”.
Therefore, UrFU carried out surveys and developed a plan to transfer over to domestic software. The university has signed a cooperation agreement with LLC “Nanosoft Development” with regard to the use of nanoCAD products and engineering platform for designing and modeling objects of various complexity. The negotiations with “Rusatom – Digital Solutions” about the “Logos” package and CAE-class engineering software are being finalized.
As an alternative to MS Teams, UrFU has deployed an online e-learning platform based on Moodle (elearn.urfu.ru) and the BigBlueButton webinar system integrated with Moodle and the Greenlight interface (bbb.urfu.ru).
Migration options have been prepared for import-substituted infrastructure software, including user directory, mail, virtualization, file services, backup systems, etc. Also, workplace software, namely the Operating System and a number of office products. The current version of EDMS Directum, support system ServiceDesk, a number of databases, and others need to be replaced.Migration options have been prepared for import-substituted infrastructure software, including user directory, mail, virtualization, file services, backup systems, etc. Also, workplace software, namely the Operating System and a number of office products. The current version of EDMS Directum, support system ServiceDesk, a number of databases, and others need to be replaced.