Office of Academic Computing: Strategic Vision
November 1, 2003
Mission
The mission of the Office of Academic Computing (OAC) is to enhance and sustain an
environment within the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHSCH) in which computational, network and information technologies are developed and
integrated to support the educational, research and service goals of the University
Role of Academic Computing at UT-Houston
Academic activities in the 21st century are inextricably dependent on highly integrated
information resources. The collaborative environment which is central to scholarly
activities is absolutely dependent on pervasive, global digital networks that securely
interconnect data archives, information repositories, high-performance computational
systems, smart instruments, e-leaning systems and communication tools for shared
discussions and learning.
Collaboration is no longer only among people, but also between people and increasingly
capable digital assistants as well as among the digital assistants themselves. Computer-tocomputer collaboration includes distributed processing among massively parallel
systems, information discovery, semantic analysis of Web content, and interactions
among smart agents
The manifestations of scholarly endeavors are increasingly becoming digital expressions
having value-added attributes that greatly exceed the limitations of paper based materials.
Such manifestations include hyperlinked multimedia objects, advanced computational
models of biological processes, and massive archives of scientific data. These digital
tools are required to expand our conceptual understanding of molecules, enzymes,
receptors, drugs, cells, physiological systems, environmental interactions and other
complex systems. Researchers depend on these tools, for example, to develop more
effective pharmacological agents and understand how to repair genetic defects based on
comparative analysis of genomes across species and individuals. The common theme
across these examples is the sharing of “grid-based” digital resources by collaborative
research teams.
The role of the Office of Academic Computing includes:
1. Work with faculty, students and staff to strategically determine what central
IT resources and infrastructure are required to support the research,
educational and community service needs of the University.
2. Work with Information Services to design, coordinate and operate the
campus-wide information technology (IT) infrastructure.
3. Host the core applications required to support primary academic activities.
4. Develop standards, policies and procedures as they relate to the integrated
operation of academic IT applications and services.
5. Lead and coordinate the application of new technology – particularly as it
pertains to academic endeavors.
6. Provide academic oriented services to departments and schools that do not
have the required resources.
Academic Computing Strategies
The strategies summarized below build on the existing IT infrastructure required to
support the primary research, education and service missions of the University. This
infrastructure must be seamlessly integrated to include both the academic and
administrative needs of the University. These strategies identify major activities required
to keep the academic IT capabilities
e-Learning infrastructure
On-line learning resources, such as e-Learning management systems, (e.g. Blackboard),
Web content servers, Web application servers, identity management systems and support
services for creation of learning ware is critical to the support of the University’s
academic missions. These services are also required to provide mandated compliance
training.
Grid computing for advanced computational research and scholarly activities
A "grid" is an infrastructure enabling the integrated, collaborative use of high-end
computing systems, high speed networks, data archives and scientific instruments
operated by multiple organizations. Grid applications often involve large amounts of
data and/or advanced computational resources that require secure resource sharing across
organizational boundaries.
The grid infrastructure for science and advanced scholarly activities typically includes the
following elements:
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Smart instruments. Advanced scientific instruments, such as large scale gene
sequencers, micro-arrays for testing gene expression, environmental monitors,
magnetic resonance imaging systems, neural signal analyzers - coupled with remote
supercomputers, users and databases- to enable interactive collaboration and analysis.
Data archives. Scientific data produced by large-scale computations or obtained
from high-resolution scientific instruments. Extracting and correlating data from these
distributed archives is fundamental to making new biomedical discoveries.
Distributed collaboration. Shared access to data, computing, and discussion, often
via high-bandwidth, audio-video conferencing.
High performance computing systems. Increasingly, these systems are based on
large number of commercial microprocessors connected by high-speed local networks
and integrated via Linux and other open source software to function as highperformance computing systems. Laboratory clusters typically contain tens of
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processors, whereas clustered supercomputing systems contain hundreds or thousands
of processors.
Intelligent agents. Use of rule and knowledge-based systems to assist researchers
and scholars in the efficient utilization of extremely large data archives.
Middle ware for securely sharing on-line resources across organizational boundaries
Licensing of library resources, grid research collaboration, sharing educational resources
and cross-institutional faculty participation, as in residency programs and other e-learning
activities, require an inter-institutional system for the identification, authentication and
authorization of individuals. Federated identity is currently a major national initiative.
Web publishing services for distribution of academic content
Operation of a multitude of Web servers by schools and departments to distribute
academic content is neither operationally nor financially efficient. Issues pertaining to the
need to integrate Web servers with other systems, provide operating and application
software support, configure multiple application specific security requirements, and
employ standard, user friendly publishing procedures necessitates operation of a centrally
managed publishing service.
Web-application services supporting academic endeavors
The demand for three-tier Web applications (i.e. Web forms, application logic and
relational databases) to support academic functions is enormous. Central operation of the
server and software components to support this need is critical as is the need to assist in
the development of such applications.
Multimedia and application programming support
Creation of both learning ware and thee-tier Web applications requires central support by
Web designers and application programmers. Most schools have little or no resources
available for the creation of Web applications. In contrast to the development of Web
applications, schools do and should maintain support staff for creation of Web-based
learning ware. However, a central staff is also needed to assist these individuals in
learning needed new technologies, services and procedures and to provide advanced
development skills when required by specific projects. This support is also required for
development of Web content by central administration.
Resources for on-demand streaming of audio and video content
Extensive educational material is currently provided as streaming, on-demand audio and
video. The demand for both the delivery of such material and the need to receive
progressively more material at greater bandwidths via the Internet will increase.
Resource discovery, cataloging and semantic markup of on-line content.
“Search”, originally a simple keyword-lookup functionality for files, has become a
fundamental Internet service required for academic endeavors. This discovery process
requires the use of both progressively more sophisticated indexing servers, and the
markup of content with meta-tags for using meta-data to locate desired content and
allowing “intelligent” agents to determine semantic meaning within documents.
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Videoconferencing
The need for videoconferencing for both academic and administrative purposes is
exploding. Academic Computing currently operates the H.323 multipoint conferencing
unit to support conferences with more than two participants. This capability needs to be
expanded as does support for coordinating the development of both desktop and
conference room points of origin.
Identification and creation of standards for integrated information environments
The interactive, collaborative mesh of people and digital assistants required to support
today’s scholarly activities includes a weave of multiple standards that are constantly
evolving. Failure to understand, incorporate and adapt such standards often results in the
acquisition of systems and creation of digital works which are incapable of fulfilling the
desired expectations of their developers and users. Such failures significantly hinder the
University’s ability to attain its goals, waste resources and generally frustrate users.
Training and support for developing skills for learning and working in cyberspace
Training of personnel to use existing IT resources would greatly enhance productivity
throughout the University. The entire fabric binding scholarly activity today is dependent
on knowing how to learn and work with digital resources in cyberspace. Training needs
to be centrally funded and mandated for certain positions and activities. Failure to have
adequately trained students, faculty and staff significantly decreases the University’s
competitive capability.
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