Information Technology Unit
The Information Technology Unit, which was established in the College of Medicine, is considered the administrative nucleus that resulted from the Information Technology Division after it was promoted to the level of an administrative division to become one of the divisions working in the College Deanship and directly linked to the Dean’s Office.
The Information Technology Division is responsible for managing and implementing information technology in the college. It is responsible for managing the Internet network, maintaining computers and software, managing servers, e-mail services, managing electronic exams, in addition to managing information systems and cloud services. The college's need for all or part of the previous services varies, but in any case, it needs the presence of an Information Technology Department. Providing technological and technical support to all branches, divisions, scientific and administrative units, and also overseeing the college's official electronic account in cooperation and coordination with the Website Division in the Presidency of the University of Baghdad.
Department Objectives
- Providing support to all units, departments and branches of the college in organizing administrative work through the computer systems that the administrative units and departments deal with.
- Consultations for teachers, which are mainly based on developing the teacher’s work using computers and software.
- Maintenance of electronic devices in the college (audio, video and peripheral devices).
- The department develops the official website in Arabic and English and the website of the college’s scientific activities.
The division develops the scientific and administrative competencies of all college members in cooperation with the Continuing Education Unit through:
- Holding courses for scientific promotions.
- Holding specialized and advanced courses and workshops for instructors in computer programs.
- Holding computer courses and workshops for technicians and administrators.
Department Structure
The department consists of three administrative units that work together to cover the college’s needs:
- Website Unit
- Computer and Network Maintenance Unit
- Systems and Software Unit
The Website Unit at the College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, is now part of the Information Technology Division. This change from its previous independent status attached to the Dean’s Office enhances operational efficiency and improves resource utilization.
Key Developments and Responsibilities
- Website management: The unit is responsible for the college’s official website, which is available in both Arabic and English. The launch of the English version in 2023 has significantly expanded the college’s global reach.
- Social media integration: The unit effectively manages major social media platforms, including the Facebook homepage, YouTube channel, and LinkedIn page. These platforms are essential for effective communication and outreach.
- Technical services and hosting: The website is hosted on the college’s servers within the Iraqi educational domain (edu.iq). The unit handles all technical issues, ensures timely updates, and includes new features to keep pace with educational developments.
Expanded Goals and Objectives
- Enhanced Digital Repository Integration: The module aims to replace faculty resumes in PDF and Word formats with links to the digital repository. This not only simplifies access, but also enhances the digital presence of the college’s faculty.
- Improved Academic Plan Presentation: Undergraduate and graduate admissions plans are updated to include the specific year they are applying to, with links to previous years’ plans for clarity and transparency.
- Annual Program Descriptions Update: Program descriptions on the website are updated annually to reflect the latest academic offerings and changes, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information for students.
- Clear Reference to Previous Year’s Plans: All linked or referenced plans clearly indicate whether they are from the previous year, avoiding confusion and ensuring accurate information for all stakeholders.
- Alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals: All content on the website is designed to align with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), underscoring the college’s commitment to global educational standards and sustainability.
Strategic Importance
The website is a vital tool for the accreditation and global ranking of the College of Medicine. It showcases academic activities and supports international standards, demonstrating the critical role of the website unit in maintaining a strong digital presence and adapting to technological advances through strategic updates to its digital content and infrastructure.
Computer and Network Maintenance Unit
The Computer and Network Maintenance Unit is one of the multi-tasking units in the College of Medicine. This unit manages, distributes and maintains the Internet network in the college. The unit also provides computer and distribution maintenance services in the deanship and branches and divisions of the college units. It also installs and operates peripheral devices connected to the Internet network in the college.
Unit Tasks
First, Network Maintenance:
- Providing internet service to the Deanship, branches, departments and units of the college via the wireless network at first, and the future plan is to use fiber optic technology (optical cable) for network connection represented in designing and implementing the network infrastructure to open a new era of electronic applications and services.
- Design and implement the college network, both wired and wireless, and program its devices, including wireless points, routers, switches, and servers.
- Connecting the deanship, branches, and departments of the units to the wireless network until the optical cable network is rebuilt to replace the wireless network.
- Providing consulting in the field of information networks.
- Managing and dividing the Internet package efficiently within the college campus to reduce costs and achieve optimal use of the package.
- Follow-up programs for monitoring Internet package consumption and service quality, as well as calculating network performance, in addition to monitoring server operation and activating the firewall feature to protect the server from external electronic attacks.
- Carrying out periodic maintenance work for wired and wireless distribution points within the college campus and providing support for installing internal wireless networks for buildings.
Second, Computer Maintenance:
- Carrying out maintenance and repair operations for computers and their accessories that are sent to the unit. Inspecting the devices that are received and ensuring their specifications and readiness for work.
- Holding basic and advanced courses in computer maintenance and its accessories.
- Providing the necessary technical advice and carrying out field maintenance work.
- The unit staff inspects new electronic devices, computers and peripherals.
Future Plans for the Unit
- Training college staff and developing their skills to play a role in supporting the implementation of the e-learning system.
- Technically qualifying the unit’s members by involving them in training courses and workshops inside and outside the country, which qualifies them to use modern technologies in designing and maintaining computer networks.
- Preparing a specialized cadre to manage high-performance networks and the ability to maintain servers.
- Developing a plan to connect the college’s branches, departments and units to the Internet and Intranet, such as (e-governance, e-learning) using optical cables in cooperation with the Ministry of Communications.
- Converting the college to a smart management system and integrating it with smart cities if the infrastructure is available in the college.
Systems and Software Unit
Providing digital systems and programs that help the various formations of the college in their work, and these tasks were assigned to the Information Technology Unit as one of the most important descriptions of its administrative work. The Software Unit is also considered the college’s interface when dealing with companies that provide digital systems services and its representative before those companies when contracting to purchase systems and supervising their operation.
Unit Tasks
- Preparing various software.
- Providing lists of software to be purchased based on the frequent requests from the college in general.
- Designing, analyzing, building, and following up on software systems according to the data and requirements set for all units, departments, and branches of the college.
- Building a software infrastructure by building databases and network software systems in the fields of administration and education in preparation for reaching the electronic college.