Technology as an enabler can only be successful when it looks beyond the tools and also encompass people and processes. In this section we highlight some of the activities we undertook to broaden and strengthen our relationships with our constituents and partners in order to amplify the value and impact of the solutions that were delivered to the community.
Cybersecurity Triad
CIOs of Concordia, Ottawa, and ֱ Universities embarked on a program to better leverage each other’s strengths with a particular focus on cybersecurity. Over the course of the year, this program has matured from collaborations amongst specific teams to a detailed analysis on the potential for a shared, formal Regional Security Operations Centre (RSOC) capability. Regardless of the eventual direction of the RSOC, the teams continue to work together productively on a number of important topics.
Ontario Health Data Platform
In 2020, Queen’s secured the privilege of hosting the Ontario Health Data Platform (OHDP), which provides data access to researchers to better detect, plan and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. This ongoing collaborative effort is a partnership between Queen’s University, the Ministry of Health, Indoc Research, Ontario Health, and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences to help the province better manage and respond to the pandemic.
One Queen's IT Speaker Panel
The Enterprise Information Technology Advisory Committee (EITAC) has been around for more than a decade, comprising the leads of the distributed IT units across Queen’s. For the past several years, the committee has put an emphasis on working together as “one Queen’s IT”, and in June 2023, members of EITAC spearheaded a panel discussion at the annual Canadian Higher Education IT conference (CANHEIT) to address both the challenges and opportunities presented by a decentralised university structure. In particular, the panelists explored the ways in which a decentralized university can promote innovation and diversity of thought, and how this can translate into a more vibrant and successful academic community. They also discussed how collaboration between different departments and centres can benefit IT staff, allowing them to gain a broader understanding of the university's mission and goals and to develop cross-functional skills.
Data Proficiency
Developed by IT Services staff in collaboration with the Faculty of Education, he Data Proficiency 100 course aims to equip participants with invaluable skills for handling data effectively and proficiently by addressing three core pillars:
- Security – using data securely to maintain trust and reputation,
- Standardization – adopting standardized methods to simplify knowledge transfer, and
- Efficiency – employing proven patterns to solve business problems.
Launched in early 2023 and offered to Queen’s faculty and staff, Data Proficiency 100 has consistently garnered high satisfaction levels from participants based on practical applicability to their roles, with 100% of all participants reporting they would recommend the course to colleagues.
Data Proficiency 100 is composed of four courses:
- 101: Extending Excel Skills with Power Quary
- 102: Automating Workflows Using Microsoft 365 Tools
- 103: Analyzing Data Using Power BI
- 104: Sharing Data Using the Power BI Service
Digital Classroom Design
Our Digital Classrooms Team successfully outfitted 4 active learning rooms and converted two former computer sites (Jeffrey Hall) into advanced high-tech active learning rooms with 152 seats. They also converted one 90-seat room (Mac-Corry Hall D201) into two separate 45-seat high-flex(able) active learning rooms.
The team also successfully equipped the final six rooms in ֱ central repository previously lacking teaching technologies to ensure comprehensive technology integration across ֱ. This achievement marks the completion of campus-wide effort to provide advanced learning resources in every instructional space.
Further, 8 large lecture theatres were upgraded, with traditional projector-based setups converted to cutting-edge video walls with projectable writing spaces. The team ensured 2025 Accessibility Standards Compliance via:
- Upgraded podium equipment
- Incorporated assisted learning systems
- High-contrast displays
- Presenter confidence monitors and improved accessibility features integrated into podiums.
Finally, the Digital Classrooms Team improved hybrid meeting technologies (Richardson Hall) adding three new breakout rooms, and equipped all 355 king Street meeting rooms with temporary video conferencing solutions to bridge the gap until permanent solutions were installed.
WiFi at Lakeridge Health Oshawa
The Queen’s-Lakeridge Health MD Family Medicine Program is a new, first-in-Canada medical education model specifically designed to address the shortage of family doctors, which the School of Medicine launched in September 2023 at a new campus location at the Lakeridge Health Oshawa hospital.
In conjunction with Queen’s Health Sciences IT and Lakeridge Health IT, IT Services enabled QueensU-Secure Wi-Fi access on top of the existing hospital wireless infrastructure for all Queen’s learners, staff, and faculty in Oshawa.
This successful project ensures our users have stable and secure internet access within this unique hospital-based setting. Some notable facts about this project include:
- $0 hardware cost for implementation.
- Zero complaints or problems since implementation. It just works!
- Positive relationship-building experience with our hospital partner.
Collaborative Policy Review
In 2022, Queen’s Information Security Officer initiated a project to review and update Queen’s Electronic Information Security Policy along with its associated standards and guidelines. To be effective, policies must be developed thoughtfully; must support the goals of the university; must be enforceable and supported by senior leadership; and must be clearly communicated to all community members. This was a significant undertaking with implications for the entire Queen’s community and was executed by adopting a collaborative approach. That included cross-unit representation on multiple review committees, and extensive consultations across University stakeholder groups and well as other Canadian universities. The new policies were approved by Queen’s Senior Leadership Team in early 2024.
Talent Sharing Initiative
In an effort to break down internal silos and promote an environment of collaboration and cooperation within the larger Queen’s community, 2023 saw the secondment of the Director of IT and Facilities within the Faculty of Education to IT Services. This secondment brought expertise to key enterprise initiatives, especially those relating to enterprise architecture and the implementation of Queen’s enterprise Constituent Relationship Management solution. Moving forward, we hope to pursue similar talent sharing initiatives since leveraging expertise and experience across units and departments benefits more than our individual units and can
help to break down internal silos to achieve a stronger, more unified Queen’s.