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The Information Technology and Services, aspiring to be the univ...

Writer : KU TODAY
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Date : 2018-12-26

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The Information Technology and Services, aspiring to be the university intelligence hub

The Information Technology and Services (ITS) of Korea University relocated its 40-year old office. Moving into the new and innovative home on the fifth floor of the International Center for Converging Technology, ITS continues to demonstrate its commitment to serving as the university intelligence hub, unveiling an innovative space filled with novel, creative ideas.

A space of collaboration and communication reflecting human-centered values

The Information Technology and Services of Korea University has moved to a new nest of creativity and collaboration. In order to enhance free communication, the new office has no partitions that divide departments from each other. The cubicle-free design symbolizes a space of unity, breaking down physical and psychological walls. The nine large screens are visible from any spot in the office, thus helping all ITS members understand the progress of other departments’ work, work together if needed, and provide feedback in real-time, without adhering to a bureaucratic form of reporting. A bulletin board in the lounge enables members to use memos to brainstorm and share ideas. The corridor has transformed from a place for passage into a lounge for communication, and the walls are blackboards on which to incubate new ideas.

In addition, the building’s portable cables, the first among Korean universities, promotes flexible working conditions, unfettered by seat layout. The conference room, designed with a high ceiling and full-glass front side, offers an optimal environment of collaboration as it supports multiple devices required for free communication and meetings. The lobby is open to everyone for exhibition or other events. In addition, all ITS members can book the conference room using Google Calendar or other collaborative tools.

As the heart of Korea University’s information security and networks, ITS boasts a cutting-edge system, but quite the contrary to cold hardware its space is imbued with human-centered warmth. The warmth is visible in bike rack installed for the workers who commute by bike, the rest area where members can grab some snacks, and the coffee machine that provides free coffee all day long. As ITS members often work late, the space is specifically designed to even accommodate their children who visit their parents after school and do homework together.

The Server Room designed for perfect security
Server relocation after two rounds of mock training

On one side of the walls of the ITS lobby on the fifth floor of the building, a thick iron gate that looks like a formative arts work stands. This is where the Server Room is located. The gate represents the determination of ITS to safeguard information, the most valuable asset in modern society.

“The new Server Room is protected with a thick iron gate like a safe, and our dual security system can protect information against any attempt of invasion.

In addition, the data center technology transferred and the server rack donated by Naver helps us store data easily and more conveniently. The cold air flowing from the floor cools down the equipment mounted in the racks that face each other while the heated air moves upward. This increases the efficiency of the Room’s cooling power 15%. The Battery and UPS Rooms, which can support power for full two-hour operation in case of emergency, become a much more pleasant space than before,” said Gyeong-ho Lee, Vice President for Information Technology and Services.

▲Gyeong-ho Lee, Vice President for Information Technology and Services, involving free, open communication in the cubicle-free office

He reiterated that security and stability of the system were the top priorities for the relocation of ITS. As its move was the first in 40 years, ITS had to prepare a thorough plan that is wholly different from the relocation of a general office. It performed two rounds of mock training for server relocation based on error simulation to be prepared for emergency. Thanks to such efforts, ITS was able to cut the server relocation time by 10 hours.

Future universities functioning as a platform
A cutting-edge information system, its cornerstone

Vice President Lee pointed out that the key to the future universities aspire to achieve is the advanced infrastructure of information system.
“World-class universities provide most of their lectures online. They interact with students through mobile devices, and their researchers can access advanced cloud infrastructure and collaboration tools to conduct multidisciplinary research. In addition, these schools utilize artificial intelligence to provide their students and researchers with an individualized curriculum, management of research achievements, and campus life services. All these programs are made available through an innovative, cutting-edge information system. In this sense, Korean universities are lagging behind overseas universities. However, as an innovation leader, Korea University has laid the foundation for such a system for the first time in Korea.”

The world is embracing the era of innovation, where technology drives lifestyle changes. Korea University, a strong candidate to join the ranks of the global top 50 universities, needs to accelerate its endeavors to upgrade its IT infrastructure. Korea University has taken steps towards to becoming the world’s leader for innovation. The building of the new IT system will guide Korea University into the right path to achieve the goal.

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