News Archives

Follow the leader: Lessons from female CIOs in higher education

February 15, 2019

Follow the Leader: Lessons from Female CIOs in Higher Education Event

Hear from a panel of three leading female CIO from BC’s post-secondary institutions about their leadership journey at Follow the Leader: Lessons from Female CIOs in Higher Education on March 8.

Presented by UBC Information Technology, learn how these three female leaders used their influence as senior executives, and the advice they would give to young professionals pursuing their own career path to leadership

Panel Moderator

  • Dianne LaPierre, co-president, Vancouver Women In Technology, and senior vice-president and chief information officer of Raymond James Ltd

Guest Panelists

  • Jennifer Burns, associate vice-president, technology and chief information officer for the University of British Columbia
  • Sally Felkai, chief information officer for Emily Carr University of Art + Design
  • Wency Lum, chief information officer for the University of Victoria

Event Details

Date: Friday, March 8, 2019
Time: 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Location: This event will be live streamed is available for those that are not be able to attend in person. If you will be in Vancouver and want to register for the live event, visit: https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8kRkjhWOfIFnsC9

For more information on the event, visit: https://it.ubc.ca/follow-leader-lessons-female-cios-higher-education

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Announcing associate directors for UBCO IT

January 24, 2019

Dear colleagues,

We are pleased to announce the appointment of two new associate directors for UBC Okanagan IT, Media and Classroom Services.

Read the full message

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Advanced Malware Protection enabled on December 10

December 3, 2018

On Monday, December 10, UBC Cybersecurity will be enabling Cisco Advanced Malware Protection (AMP) for supported desktops and laptops at the Okanagan campus.

This solution is part of the ongoing effort to prevent malware on the UBC network and provides an extra layer of protection as a complement to UBC’s current malware protection (Sophos Anti-Virus). It will work to detect, contain and remove advanced malware.

In June, the Cybersecurity team deployed AMP in test mode only and you may have noticed a new icon Malware icon in your system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).

If you have any questions or comments about the Advanced Malware Protection system at UBC, please contact the UBC IT Service Centre at 22008 or help@it.ubc.ca.

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UBC recognizes dedicated staff with excellence awards

August 31, 2018

Top row from left: Trevor Odlum, Chase Tompkins, Troy Campbell, Paul Crang, Andy Fehr and Paul Clancy. Bottom row from left: Deborah Buszard, Marlis Wecels, Barbara Sobol and Adrienne Vedan.

Top row from left: Trevor Odlum, Chase Tompkins, Troy Campbell, Paul Crang, Andy Fehr and Paul Clancy. Bottom row from left: Deborah Buszard, Marlis Wecels, Barbara Sobol and Adrienne Vedan.

At last week’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal’s Town Hall, a number of employees were recognized for exemplary service to the university at the annual Staff Awards of Excellence.

Congratulations to all the winners, and the significant impacts they have made to UBC Okanagan.

Enhancing the UBC Experience

Troy Campbell, Acting Associate Director for Campus Security, won the Enhancing the UBC Experience award. Campbell was recognized for bringing fresh ideas into the security office including the UBC Safe mobile app, the security bike patrol, and several workshops and seminars to help train students and staff in First Aid, self-defence and crisis management.

Campus Leadership

Undergraduate Services Librarian Barbara Sobol was presented with the Campus Leadership Award. Sobol has coordinated a series of library information and skill training sessions and she led a pilot project where student employees in the library developed programming to support and promote engagement with students on campus. Most recently, Sobol led the library’s first floor renovations and changes.

Marlis Wecels, administrative manager of the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences’ Interprofessional Clinic also won a Campus Leadership Award. Wecels was recognized for her compassion, professionalism, support, productivity and excellence as “the consummate administrative manager.” She was recognized for exhibiting exceptional leadership, organizational skills, initiative and creativity, and a capacity to foster growth and development in the department.

Okanagan Spirit

The Okanagan Spirit Award was presented to IT, Media & Classroom Services’ Helpdesk team. The Helpdesk team was applauded for their outstanding commitment to customer service while helping to resolve technical issues. The Helpdesk team were also recognized for being proactive when resolving issues and accommodating requests, and having exemplary problem-solving skills. The Helpdesk team consists of: Andy Fehr, Jill MacKenzie, Paul Clancy, Paul Crang, Perry Jones, Trevor Odlum, Mark Panich, Geoffrey Pouliot and Chase Tompkins.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal Award

Director of Aboriginal Programs and Services Adrienne Vedan was presented with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal Award. Vedan is known as someone who always goes above and beyond her job description and attends to all duties with her “joyful attention.”

When presenting the award, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal Deborah Buszard said: “UBC Okanagan was founded in partnership with the Syilx Okanagan Nation and we have made important commitments to local First Nation Bands, Friendship Centres, Metis and Urban Aboriginal organizations. Many of these commitments are upheld and enhanced by Adrienne’s hard work to maintain good relations and to serve the needs of Indigenous communities in the Okanagan and afar.”

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Computer lab request deadlines

May 28, 2018

Computer lab request deadlines

To help schedule computer lab software updates for the September 2018 academic term, IT, Media & Classroom Services is implementing cut-off dates for Lab Software Installation Submittals.

The deadline for September requests is July 1. Requests received past this date will be dealt with on a best-effort basis. All cut-off dates can be found on the Computer Lab Software Requests page. Use this page when submitting tickets for software installs required for next year’s classes.

IT, Media & Classroom Services is also looking for feedback on future hardware requirements in all Tier One Computer Labs. Any feedback can be sent to Support Analyst Sky Mooney (sky.mooney@ubc.ca).

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May 7 and 9: Training available for UBC WiFi Certificate Renewal

April 27, 2018

IT, Media and Classroom Services is hosting important information and training sessions regarding the upcoming WiFi Certificate Renewal.

Bring your laptop and mobile devices to ADM 013 on May 7 and 9 for instructions on how to update your devices to ensure uninterrupted access, and take in an information session that explains what changes are being made and why you should use UBC Secure WiFi.

Four sessions have been scheduled across two days:

  • Monday, May 7, 10 to 11 a.m. or 3 to 4 p.m.
  • Wednesday, May 9, 10 to 11 a.m. or 3 to 4 p.m.

Note: Android devices can’t be updated until May 9; all other devices can be updated prior to May 9.

If you are unable to attend any of these sessions, please contact the IT Help Desk, or update your devices with the AutoConnect tool at: https://it.ubc.ca/autoconnect

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High-risk websites to be blocked starting Friday

March 19, 2018

High-risk websites to be blocked

On March 23, 2018, UBC Cybersecurity will be implementing network security upgrades at UBC’s Okanagan campus for all wired connections and the ubcsecure wireless network.

This upgrade will add a layer of protection to prevent unintentional visits to known high-risk websites through the internet. After the upgrade, if you’re on a UBC network and accidentally click on a link to a high-risk website, your browser will redirect you to a block page.

For example, if you receive a phishing email with a link to a fraudulent website and accidentally click on it, you will see the block page.

Please note: This process is automatic and the university is not acting as a censor. This service will not track individual user website activity. For more information and an FAQ about this new security upgrade, visit: privacymatters.ubc.ca/OK-network-upgrades

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UBC Studios and IT Helpdesk changing hours

January 16, 2018

UBC Studios and IT Helpdesk changing hours

UBC Studios and the IT Helpdesk would like all employees to know that they are changing business hours.

UBC Studios‘ new Digital Media Design Lab in ADM 012 is now open and operates Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m. The Studios’ equipment loan desk in ADM 011 operates during the same hours.

And the IT Helpdesk, located in ADM 024B, will be changing its hours starting February 19. It will now be closing at 6:30 p.m. instead of 7:30 p.m.

This year’s Helpdesk summer schedule begins on June 4 and runs until August 27. The hours during the period will be Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The post UBC Studios and IT Helpdesk changing hours appeared first on UBC's Okanagan News.

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IT staff takes on UBC Okanagan women’s volleyball team

April 3, 2017

IT staff takes on UBC Okanagan women’s volleyball teamWhat: Fundraising volleyball game
Who: UBC Okanagan women’s volleyball team and UBC’s Information Technology staff
When: Thursday, April 6 at 1:30 p.m.
Where: UBC Okanagan gymnasium, 3211 Athletics Court, Kelowna

The UBC Okanagan women’s volleyball team competed in the Final Four of the Canada West championships earlier this month, closing out a season during which they were consistently among the top 10 best teams in the country.

On the afternoon April 6, they’ll face a challenge playing against “Spike IT”—a team formed by the UBC Okanagan IT, Media and Classroom Services department—in a fun charity match to raise funds for the BC Cancer Foundation.

The match is at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, in the UBC Okanagan gymnasium. Admission is free but donations are encouraged.

If you’d like to speak with the organizer, Rob Hartmier can be reached at 250-807-8844 or by email at rob.hartmier@ubc.ca.

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UBC Okanagan conference draws digital media experts

March 17, 2017

Digital Media in Education conference graphicDigital media experts from across North America will gather at UBC Okanagan from May 17 to 19 for the first-ever Digital Media in Education conference.

As digital media continue to be among the most important and powerful forms of communication in the 21st century, institutions, businesses and governments are building teams of qualified professionals, says conference chair Rosemary Thompson, manager of UBC Studios Okanagan.

“With the growing number of digital media professionals and users within education and business across Canada and the United States, it’s time to build a strong network of peers,” Thompson says. “To foster this emerging network, we’re welcoming people from across a wide range of sectors, from educational institutions, film and animation studios, and anywhere digital media are widely used to communicate and educate.”

The 2017 Digital Media in Education Conference features a variety of industry and educational digital media experts sharing their knowledge through keynotes, workshops and challenges.

Keynote presenter is Shauna Heller, founder of California-based Clay Park, the first virtual reality (VR) strategy and advisory firm for institutions, corporations and developers. Clay Park initiatives focus on introducing 360-degree video and virtual reality into education and enterprise applications. Clay Park is a partner on Oculus’ VR For Good project, the “360 High School Challenge,” which transforms students into 360-degree storytellers.

The conference offers three distinct tracks of sessions and workshops:

  • Digital media creation—exploring how to bring the best work to life, whether it’s through video, web design, motion graphics, graphic design or augmented reality.
  • Digital media in the classroom—uncovering the full potential of digital media for students, educators and researchers.
  • Emerging media —a look at how emerging media, advancing technologies and applications fit into education and the world around us.

“An engaging program of activities will appeal to anyone who knows the value of digital media creation and its importance in communicating to today’s fast-paced and socially networked world,” says Thompson.

Conference registration is now open at dme2017.ok.ubc.ca.

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