QUT: University for the Real World

To foster abstract and independent thought is an indispensable virtue of most universities. But the goal of nurturing independence from outside influences including other faculties - leads to federated systems of governance at many universities. Naturally, this philosophy permeates an organisation’s information infrastructure, but the Queensland University of Technology has a different vision. Reflecting its motto, University for the Real World, QUT has taken an enterprise-wide approach.

QUT sent out a request for offers with ROI and compliance objectives high on its agenda. The selection of Tower’s TRIM solution came out of this process. But it was QUT’s enterprisewide approach which brought the opportunity for QUT and Tower to go beyond the normal vendor-client relationship. McDonald invited Tower’s CEO Martin Harwood to join QUT’s steering committee, believing this would bring the university the best result. Harwood obliged and McDonald says the extended relationship enabled the two to, “share the risks and share the rewards.” QUT now has a point of contact within Tower so it can access the company’s experts and knowledgebase, while Tower can be play a key role in QUT’s innovative approach to information management. 

Article supplied from Image & Data Manager (November/December 2006 Issue)

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