A New Journey for The UWI

Release date: December 21, 2020

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past several months, as we’ve contended with the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen unprecedented change and dependence on technology to help us function in new norms for the way we live, work, play and connect with each other.

At The UWI, conversations and plans for DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION have been underway for some time having been explicitly identified as an objective in our Triple A Strategic Plan (2017-2022) as AG5: Foster the digital transformation of The UWI.

Since the start of 2020, the programme has been energized with the appointment of a new Steering Custodian and a core team that is committed to delivering tangible and pragmatic results to the University community. More recently, in the Report of The UWI Chancellor’s Commission On Governance of The UWI (July 2020), the Commission recommended that “…The UWI undertake an integrated ICT and digital transformation with accelerated urgency” given the realities of the world having to adjust to “living with COVID”. Such is the vision that underpins the process.

This year has certainly provided the opportunity to speed its adoption, and implementation of a roadmap now set in motion. I am certain you have several questions on what this means. Here are four key things to know:

1. What does digital transformation mean for The UWI?

The UWI is seeking to enhance its Caribbean regional value proposition by digitally consolidating and integrating its geographically distributed operations as needed, to achieve larger technology-enabled economies of both scale and scope, with increased and more equitable service, access and satisfaction levels across all jurisdictions of the University.
To put it simply, it is about consolidating our current structures and processes to maximise our collaborative synergies, agility, effectiveness and efficiency, so that we work smarter and deliver greater value to all our stakeholders.

2. What aspects of the University and activities are involved in the digital transformation programme?

The work model for the digital transformation programme is focused on optimising mission-critical operations across the entire University system. Five key areas—known as domains—for the work model have been identified as follows:

1. ACADEMICS (inclusive of all undergraduate, graduate, continuing and professional education, open and distance learning programmes and services);
2. KNOWLEDGE RESOURCE (comprising library, records and archival services);
3. TECHNOLOGY (involving infrastructural, network and application services);
4. FINANCE (encompassing bursarial services); and
5. ADMINISTRATION (related to HR, registrarial, examination, and student financial services).

3. When will it take place?
 

The roadmap for The UWI’s digital transformation programme sets out a path that includes four phases which run from September 2020 through August 2023:

1. DISCOVERY (of nomenclature and site locations through data scans and system audits);
2. DEFINE (requirements for enterprise architecture and alignment);
3. DEVELOP (taxonomic schemes, metrics and dashboards); and
4. DELIVER (multi-platform interoperability).

4. In what phase are we now?

In the current Discovery phase (Sept. 2020 - Aug. 2021), the focus is on data gathering geared towards better understanding the University’s business operations with the aim of harmonisation. This first phase is built on the principles of “identifying, analysing and understanding”.

I want to emphasise that at the core of digital transformation is a foundational change in how we deliver service and value to our customers and stakeholders. Though the programme is being championed at the highest levels of the University’s executive leadership, it requires engagement and active participation from everyone throughout the University system in a spirit of cross-campus and departmental collaboration.

This is the first of a series of communication pieces on The UWI’s digital transformation journey. You’ll notice a special visual identity in the top right corner of this message. It is a representation of the framework of process, people, technology and interconnectedness of The UWI system, and will be associated with all related digital transformation communiqués.
As this journey continues, I urge you to pay close attention to the updates and progress to understand what happens next and the role you play in this process.
 

Sincerely,

Dr. Maurice D. Smith
University Registrar