What is "ucisa"

UCISA (Universities and Colleges Information Systems Association) is a United Kingdom association which represents the whole of higher education, and increasingly further education, in the provision and development of academic, management and administrative information systems.

UCISA was formed on 1 April 1993, by a merger of three bodies: the Inter-University Computing Committee (IUCC), the Polytechnics and Colleges Computer Committee (PCCC), and the Management Information Systems Committee (MISC). This merger took place in response to the Further and Higher Education Act of 1992 which effectively removed the binary distinction between universities and polytechnics/colleges, creating a single higher education sector.

UCISA represents almost all the major UK universities and higher education colleges and has a growing membership among further education colleges, other educational institutions and commercial organisations interested in information systems and technology in UK education, providing a network of contacts and a powerful lobbying voice.

Information systems and technology are increasingly important in further and higher education. Government, funding bodies and powerful commercial interests recognise this, each bringing its agenda and initiatives to bear on individual institutions. In this ever more complex and demanding climate, UCISA plays a vital role as the key membership organisation representing those responsible for delivering information systems and technology services in universities, colleges and related institutions.

Although primarily focused on the higher education sector, increasing integration, shared concerns and strengthening relationships across all sectors mean that UCISA membership is of value to many other types of educational institution.

UCISA is also important to those with a commercial interest in the education sector, especially through the annual conferences, which provide a unique opportunity to meet and communicate with those involved in information systems and technology delivery within universities and colleges.

UCISA is an open, impartial and representative association. It provides a national and international presence for the people who make information systems and services work. It helps them to share best practice, maximise cost effectiveness, develop ideas and inform and support policy making within their institution, nationally and internationally. Aims

UCISA exists to promote excellence in the application of information systems and services in support of teaching, learning, research and administration in higher and further education.

Its aims are:

• To identify best practice and to spread its use through
• the organisation of conferences, seminars and workshops;
• the promotion and support of collaboration between institutions;
• the publication, including electronic publication, of material;
• the promotion of development and research;
• To inform and support policy making processes within institutions and nationally on the cost effective application of information systems and services.

The activities of UCISA are partly devolved to interest-specific working groups; these are:

• UCISA-IG (Infrastructure Group) -- the focal point for activities that sit between the hardware and application programs.
• UCISA-CISG (Corporate Information Systems Group) -- deals with corporate information or management information systems and administrative computing services.
• UCISA-NG (Networking Group) -- monitors and promotes the communications network, associated network services and network security.
• UCISA-SDG (Staff Development Group) -- handles information and activities concerning the training and personal development of staff.
• UCISA-SSG (Teaching, Learning and Information Group) -- offers assistance for members on information, computer-based learning and computer mediated communications systems.
• UCISA-PG (Procurement Group) -- an advisory body to develop value for money in ICT purchasing.

UCISA works closely with other advisory bodies in the sector and associated sectors, such as the Jisc, Becta, UKOLN, and SCONUL.