Current Issues in Relations to Information Resources Management
Current Issues in relation to Information Resources Management
Most colleges and universities nowadays rely on effective use of information technology for instruction, research, and administration. With high request for technology professionals, it is crucial that we continue to recruit competent staff. Recruiting challenges include reduced numbers of graduates in computer-related fields, lack of competitive salaries in the higher education environment, and increasing market demand for information technology skills. As the demand for information technology professionals continues to exceed the supply, our institutions will face even greater staffing challenges. Key issues that pertain with these matters are: * How can we make our salaries more competitive with the industry? What non-salary benefits can we offer and promote? * How can we promote our institution as a good place to work? What changes can we make to our environment, both physical facilities and culture, to make it more appealing to existing staff and recruits? * What other tools can we use for recruitment and retention incentives? * What staff development/training programs are needed to adequately keep existing staff abreast of technological change and develop their professional skills? * How can we hire our own graduates before the outside industries hire them?
Policy and Technical Issues
College and university initiatives in enhanced networking connectivity and in advanced applications development are the fundamental for building more knowledge communities. Application areas include digital libraries, remote medical diagnosis, and others. For reasons of security, licensing, etc., people and resources will require unique identities that are properly authenticated and authorized for access. Since application users will connect with people and resources at both local and remote campuses, both campus wide infrastructures and inter-campus communication mechanisms will be needed.
Most colleges and universities nowadays rely on effective use of information technology for instruction, research, and administration. With high request for technology professionals, it is crucial that we continue to recruit competent staff. Recruiting challenges include reduced numbers of graduates in computer-related fields, lack of competitive salaries in the higher education environment, and increasing market demand for information technology skills. As the demand for information technology professionals continues to exceed the supply, our institutions will face even greater staffing challenges. Key issues that pertain with these matters are: * How can we make our salaries more competitive with the industry? What non-salary benefits can we offer and promote? * How can we promote our institution as a good place to work? What changes can we make to our environment, both physical facilities and culture, to make it more appealing to existing staff and recruits? * What other tools can we use for recruitment and retention incentives? * What staff development/training programs are needed to adequately keep existing staff abreast of technological change and develop their professional skills? * How can we hire our own graduates before the outside industries hire them?
Policy and Technical Issues
College and university initiatives in enhanced networking connectivity and in advanced applications development are the fundamental for building more knowledge communities. Application areas include digital libraries, remote medical diagnosis, and others. For reasons of security, licensing, etc., people and resources will require unique identities that are properly authenticated and authorized for access. Since application users will connect with people and resources at both local and remote campuses, both campus wide infrastructures and inter-campus communication mechanisms will be needed.