RUGIT Council - 10th October 2005

RUGIT Mission, Aims and Objectives

1. Name

The Russell Universities Group of IT Directors (RUGIT).

2. Mission

Provide leadership in the innovative provision of Information Technology and Systems to further the aims of research-led institutions.

3. Aims

a. Provide an effective lobby for research-led universities and for the provision of Information Technology and Systems (IT&S) resources to underpin wider Higher Education mission and aims.

b. Help formulate and promote best practice use of IT&S and associated processes, organisation and governance.

c. Identify and promote academic and business change through the application of large-scale IT&S.

d. Pursue opportunities for collaboration amongst RUGIT members.

e. Provide proactive advice to support the Russell Group aims and objectives.

4. Objectives

a. Develop strategies and communications that address the significant impact member institutions play in UK research and through our Medical Schools.

  • Publicise and disseminate information about RUGIT and its activities as widely as possible in appropriate contexts.

b. Engage and develop positive relationships with organisations and companies which have an impact on the IT&S facilities in research-led universities:

  • The Russell Group.
  • Funding bodies, especially HEFCE and the JISC.
  • Leading IT&S providers, especially UKERNA
  • Other HE interest groups and linked organisations, especially CURL, UCISA, EUNIS and EDUCAUSE.
  • Other interest groups linked with HE, especially the NHS-HE Forum.

c. Maintain a close and strong dialogue with funding councils and academic colleagues for the development of e-Infrastructure (e-Research/e-Science/Grid Computing).

  • Promote improved service-academic collaboration.
  • Provide an effective lobby for the appropriate resource allocation for service-based e-Infrastructure

d. Facilitate collaboration amongst member institutions.

  • Assess and develop technical and process solutions to improve the collaboration, connectivity and resource sharing between member institutions.
  • Share common interest for the development of proposals in response to funding council and other initiatives.
  • Develop strong technology and communication links with the NHS.
  • Create formal Working Groups (Council-sponsored and with Terms of Reference relating to RUGIT objectives).
  • Create and/or receive reports from informal Special Interest Groups where experience and plans can be shared.

e. Share information and data to allow comparisons of strategy, issues, services and resources between member institutions.

  • Annual strategic issues survey as part of EDUCAUSE/UCISA survey.
  • Quarterly top three operational issues survey.
  • Examine possibilities for co-ordinated internal and external benchmarking.
  • Develop awareness of approaches in other countries.

f. Increase staff knowledge, experience and skills for staff development and improved succession planning by, for example:

  • Shared knowledge through Working Groups and Special Interest Groups.
  • Organising joint staff development training.