Computing Department

Introduction

The Computing Department provides information technology (IT) resources to the HUC community. The department’s activities include maintaining Network, Web, SharePoint, Data and File Servers to provide Portal services to faculty, staff & students. The department is also responsible to maintain and ensure smooth functioning of technology resources in the classroom. The Computing Department aims to provide accessible and reliable administrative information systems to support operational decision-making, planning and analysis. As part of the institution’s strategic plan to serve the various users of HUC effectively an indigenously developed Campus ERP is installed to facilitate smooth flow of information between and within departments so as to enable effective flows of communications between faculty, staff & students of HUC. The Department strives to provide an environment which the faculty, staff & students can use information technology resources for instruction, research and administrative operations and updates the required IT, IS and Technology development as per future needs.

Goals

To plan, design, procure & maintain adequate technological resources.
To secure computing infrastructure and regular data backup.
To develop, upgrade & implement ERP, Mobile Apps, SharePoint, LMS & Document Management System (Doccept) System for data and information management.
To provide need-based training for acquired technological resources.
To ensure optimal use of computing resources through continuous audit process.

Facilities

A. Learning Resources and Facilities

i. BYOD Class Room

HUC has 38 classrooms that are equipped with audio visual equipment and Internet connections. All Classrooms adopt Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) concept to cater to the student with multimedia resources, Learning Management Resources, Online Quizzes, SCROM, Online Assignment submission, Internet, Intranet etc. facilities are adequate to use online/offline resources for imparting knowledge and conducting various exercises to enhance the learning process. It is also used to enter online attendance so that transparency can be maintained. Access to Learning Management System (LMS) Moodle Portal and study material upload/downloads can be used for the benefit of the faculty and students.

ii. Computer labs

The HUC has eight computer laboratories with around 280 computers with different configurations to match the requirements of the curriculum. 360 System are managed by Computing Department with the help of technical assistant. All the computers have multimedia and internet facility in the lab, which are regularly updated for uninterrupted access by the students.

iii. Physics Lab

Physics lab at HUC is aimed at meeting the Physics courses at General Education level. The Labs provide basic understanding of physics and its application in the society. It also develops scientific temperament among the students to solve problems in a rational manner.

iv. Printing & Photocopying center

The HUC has six heavy-duty photocopiers and printers to serve students in taking photocopies, color printing and color scanning all study materials required for enhancing their learning outcome.

B. Computer Learning Resources

i. Software Centre

Software center is controlled by the Computing Department, which is responsible for developing in house software as per the requirements of various Academic and Academic Support Services departments of the HUC. They also take care of portal services of the HUC. It also oversees all the software development activities outsourced to external consultants.

ii. Technical Services

The Computing Department assesses the requirements of academic and academic support services to serve the needs of faculty, staff and student and provides updated resources at regular intervals facilitate them for improving the IT services to the users.

Computing Department uses IT helpdesk ticketing system. The IT support requests are received by the department via calls, e-mail and WhatsApp.

iii. Internet Services

The internet facilities are provided to faculty, staff and students to enable them to communicate at regular intervals. The internet network for Staff is connected with 2.7 Gbps, Computer Lab internet is 900 Gbps, Class Room and Library 2.7 Gbps and Wi-Fi network is 2.7 Gbps all networks are fiber optics connections to provide adequate speed for enabling access to internet services throughout the campus. The internet facility is provided free of cost to its users 24x7, which enables the students

to get global information from a worldwide network. In addition to this an internet based mail server that offers mail services is extended to the stakeholders to facilitate for internal and external communications.

iv. Networking and Intranet Services

The Computing Centre network is powered by high-speed fiber backbone. On this backbone a File-Server is connected, which enables the faculty and students to post their study materials on internal server and store their important data and files in safe place. HUC has two datacenters, on-premised which is exist inside the campus and the other one is on the Azure cloud.

v. LMS Portal Services

Students are given access to the portal services which enables them to get information about their attendance, grades, online appointment, registering online suggestions and complaints, HR services. Students can download course syllabus and study materials, Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM), online quizzes, access online e-database/e-books, online request system, online department feedback to track student progression, class schedule, advising, courses enrolled for and results etc., and the students are issued individual username and passwords for using this facility.

HUC encourages its faculty to share all study material on the HUC Portal to facilitate student learning. HUC requires its entire stakeholder to respect the legal right to intellectual and creative property in all media. All HUC faculties will ensure that student material uploaded confirms with prevailing Intellectual Property Right law of UAE. Faculties will indemnify HUC Management against any Copyright Infringement that arises out of material they have uploaded.

vi. Timings and Access to Computing Labs

The Computer labs are available for students from 09:00 AM to 14:00 PM and from 17:30 PM to 22:00 PM on working days. The Computer labs are available for access from 14:30 PM to 22:00 PM on Friday and from 09:00 AM to 1700 PM on Saturday.

vii. Turnitin Software

Turnitin is a Plagiarism Detection Software which is integrated in the student’s Learning Management System account for uploading their academic work. The Software enables the faculty members to identify any possible instances of plagiarism in the work submitted by students. Students should submit their work on or before deadline for evaluation by Faculty after ensuring it is original and free of all kinds of plagiarism. Students are allowed to make the submission only once in the Turnitin and there won’t be any opportunity for resubmission.

viii. Mobile Apps

Students are given access to the Mobile Apps in both the platform (Android and iOS) which enables them to get information about their attendance, grades, online appointment, registering online, suggestions and complaints, Students can download course syllabus and study materials, assignment, SCORM, online quizzes, access online e-database/e-books, online request system, online department feedback to track student progression, class schedule, advising, courses enrolled for and results etc., and the students are issued individual username and passwords for using this facility.

ix. Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams which is a communicator app available through Microsoft Office 365 also act as collaboration tool for HUC faculty, staff, and students where all sorts of conversations, meetings, sharing documents, and notes can be accessed by everyone i.e. all in one place. Using this app students, can join their online classes, submit their class assignment and also request for arranging meeting with their concern department. Students can also access their recorded classes incase missed. The app is compatible with both IOS/Android based devices and using their credentials they can access this app on laptop and mobile devices.

Service Provided

Software Center

Software center is controlled by the Computing Department which is responsible for developing in house software as per the requirements of various Academic and Academic Support Services departments of the HUC. They also take care of portal services of the HUC. It also oversees all the software development activities outsourced to external consultants.

Audit of Website, Portal & FAQs

The Computing Department audit the website, portal & FAQs on monthly basis in order to provide active web & portal services to the users of HUC including academic & academic support services to display information to the HUC community.

Technical Services

The Computing Department assesses the requirements of academic and academic support services to serve the needs of faculty, staff & student and provides updated resources at regular intervals facilitate them for improving the IT services to the users.

Internet Services

The internet facilities are provided to faculty, staff & students to enable them to communicate at regular intervals. The internet network is connected with 3.7 Gbps fiber optics internet connections to provide adequate speed for enabling access to internet services throughout the campus. The internet facility is provided free of cost to its users 24x7, which enables the students to get global information from a worldwide network. In addition to this a cloud based mail server Office 365 that offers mail services is extended to the stakeholders to facilitate for internal and external communications.

HUC Email Account (Office 365)

The Computing Department provides each faculty and staff an email account in the Microsoft cloud services for official correspondence. A unique email id bearing firstname.lastname@hu.ac.ae for faculty members and the HODs are provided with a unique email id bearing hod.department@hu.ac.ae and for each staff member position.department@hu.ac.ae

Students Email Accounts

Every student enrolled in HUC should use their personal id for official communication at the time enrollment, however student can update every month if they are changing their email id visiting the horizon's portal to update the email id.

HUC Staff Telephone Landline & Mobile Connection

The Computing Department provides each faculty and staff member with a telephone connection with an extension number linked to the PABX System. The zero-dial facility is provided to the VC, DVC, Registrar, Dean of SOB, Dean of SOC, and all marketing staff. This facility can be extended to other staff/faculty members on a need basis and upon approval by the Dean. The computing department provides an official mobile connection to all marketing department staff, head computing, account assistant, head sports, executive corporate affairs & PRO. However, this facility can be extended to other members on a need basis and upon approval by the Dean. The mobile connectivity is provided to select staff members and HODs on a monthly slab basis as approved by the Dean. This facility is provided to the members to enable them to develop business and facilitate development corporate relations even during non-working hours

HUC Staff Walkie-Talkie

The Computing Department provides Walkie-Talkie to all support staff, marketing staff & HODs to facilitate them to interact for increasing the coordination and operational efficiency. This facility can be extended to other staff/faculty members on a need basis and upon approval by Dean.

Networking & Intranet Services

The Computing Centre network is powered by high-speed fiber backbone. On this backbone a File-Server is connected, which enables the faculty &students to post their study materials on internal server and store their important data and files in safe place.

LMS Portal Services

Students are given access to the portal services which enables them to get information about their attendance, grades, online appointments, registering online suggestions & complaints, and HR services. Students can download Course Syllabus & study materials, Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM), online quizzes, access online e-database/e-books, online request system, online department feedback to track student progression, class schedule, advising, courses enrolled for & results etc., and the students are issued individual username and passwords for using this facility
HUC encourages its faculty to share all study material on the HUC Portal to facilitate student learning. HUC requires its entire stakeholders to respect the legal right to intellectual and creative property in all media. All HUC faculties will ensure that student material uploaded confirms with prevailing Intellectual Property Right law of UAE. Faculties will indemnify HUC Management against any Copyright Infringement that arises out of material they have uploaded.

Timings & Access to Computing Labs

The Computer labs are available for students from 09:00 AM to 14:00 PM and from 17:30 PM to 22:00 PM on working days. The Computer labs are available for access from 14:30 PM to 22:00 PM on Friday and from 09:00 AM to 1700 PM on Saturday.

Turnitin Plagiarism Account

Students are given access to the Turnitin portal services which enables them to check the plagiarism before submitting the assignment, projects, case study and other as per subject and faculty allocated the task.

LMS Mobile Apps

Students are given access to the LMS Mobile Apps in both the platform (Android & iOS) which enables them to get information about their attendance, grades, online appointment, registering online, suggestions & complaints, Students can download Course Syllabus & study materials, assignment, SCORM, online quizzes, access online e-database/e-books, online request system, online department feedback to track student progression, class schedule, advising, courses enrolled for & results etc., and the students are issued individual username and passwords for using this facility.

Guideline on HUC Network Usage with Student Owned Devices

Acceptable Devices

Students may access the student wireless network with any device with Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) connectivity. Students may only access the network with devices that are their own personal property.

Content Filtered

Access through SonicWall (as per HUC’s Internet Access Policy) to the Internet will be provided for student-owned devices.

Personal Responsibility

The HUC assumes no responsibility for the loss of, theft of or damage to any personal devices that a student connects to the student wireless network through Wi-Fi, wired or any information on that devices.

Security

Students shall not impair the security of the HUC network. This exception includes but is not limited to:

Students are expected to maintain up-to-date antivirus and antispyware protection on all devices that are connected to the HUC student wireless network. Devices without up-to-date security programs may be denied access to the network of HUC.
Students are expected to safeguard all network passwords. Students should not share network passwords with others and should change passwords regularly. Students are expected to notify to Computing Department immediately if they believe their student account has been compromised.
Students are expected to log onto the student wireless network only with their account and not to allow others to use their account

Inappropriate Use

The HUC network is a shared network where all users are obliged to use the resource responsibly. Students are provided access to the HUC student wireless network through their personal devices primarily for educational purposes only. Incidental personal use of the network is acceptable, but students should not use the network for personal activities that consume significant network bandwidth or for activities that violate HUC policy or UAE law. These include but are not limited to:

Students are allowed to use only approved online academic/business games through HUC network.
- Downloading software, music, movies or other content is in violation of licensing requirements, copyright or other intellectual property rights.
- Downloading, viewing or sharing inappropriate content, including pornographic, defamatory or otherwise offensive material.
- Conducting for-profit business.
- Using hacking tools on the network or intentionally introducing malicious code into the HUC’s network.
- Conducting any activity that is in violation of HUC policy or UAE law.
- Using any software or proxy service to obscure either the student’s IP address or the sites that the student visits. Disabling, bypassing, or attempting to disable or bypass any system monitoring, filtering or other security measures.
- Accessing or attempting to access material or systems on the network that the student is not authorized to access.

No Expectation of Privacy

The HUC can and does monitor internet access and activity on the HUC’s network, including but not limited to sites visited, content viewed and email sent and received. The HUC may examine a student’s personal device and search its contents if there is a reason to believe that HUC policies, regulations, or guidelines regarding access to the network or use of the device have been violated.

Disruptive Activity

Students should not intentionally interfere with the performance of the student wireless network and the HUC’s overall network.

Unauthorized Networks

Students may not create unauthorized wireless networks to access HUC’s student wireless network.
- This includes establishing wireless access points, wireless routers and open networks on personal devices.
- Unauthorized copying computer program(s) from the HUC Computer System is prohibited.

Consequences of Inappropriate Use

Students who misuse HUC’s student wireless network will be subject to discipline which may include loss of access to student wireless or all internet access and/or other appropriate disciplinary or legal action in accordance with the HUC Policy.

FAQs

The purpose of the computer and network usage policy is to plan, implement & maintain IT infrastructure to support the academic and academic support service departments in providing teaching, learning, research and departments to extend services to the HUC community. This usage policy codifies what is considered appropriate usage of computers and networks within HUC and determines the rights and responsibility of the users and the Computing Department.

Regulations for using Information Resources
Modification or Removal of IT Equipment
Access and Use of Other's ID
Email
Repro-graphics
Reporting Problems
Monitoring
De-activation of Cyberoam ID
Smart Classroom

The Computing Department provides information technology resources at HUC to the students such as portal services and email services. HUC student can use their personal devices like Laptop, iPad, iPhone, Kindle etc. in the HUC campus as per following guide lines.

The HUC will provide assistance to on‐campus students connecting personal computers to the HUC campus network.
The HUC will not install operating systems or application software on student systems other than that required to gain access to HUC's networks.
HUC does not take the responsibility of repairing any student‐owned equipment, software, or operating system files.
Students are responsible for keeping personal computers virus‐free. Students who are knowingly or unknowingly propagating viruses on the HUC network will be disconnected from the network.
Student should not use the external storage media such as USB/CD/DVD/Pen Drive etc. on the HUC network without the approval of concerned faculty member, staff or Computing Department.
Student should not use HUC printing resources from their personal devices such Laptop, iPhone, iPad, Blackberry etc. without approval of Computing Department.

Guideline on HUC Network Usage with Student Owned Devices

Acceptable Devices.
Students may access the student wireless network with any device with Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) connectivity.
Students may only access the network with devices that are their own personal property.
Content Filtered.
Access through Cyberoam (as per HUC's Internet Access Policy) to the Internet will be provided for student owned devices.
Personal Responsibility.
The HUC assumes no responsibility for the loss of, theft of or damage to any personal devices that a student connects to the student wireless network through Wi-Fi, wired or any information on that devices.
Students shall not impair the security of the HUC network. This expectation includes but is not limited to security.
Students are expected to maintain up to date antivirus and antispyware protection on all devices that are connected to the HUC student wireless network. Devices without up to date security programs may be denied access to the network of HUC.
Students are expected to safeguard all network passwords. Students should not share network passwords with others and should change passwords every fortnightly. Students are expected to notify to Computing Department immediately if they believe their student account has been compromised.
Students are expected to log onto the student wireless network only with their account and not to allow others to use their account.

Following rules and regulations must be observed during the use of IT resources.

All HUC IT resources should be used exclusively for the benefit of HUC community to create an environment of learning and speed of services.
IT resources should not be used for consultancy or commercial projects, unless a prior permission has been obtained from the Dean.
All the users should strictly abide by the below specified guidelines
Do not allow his/her id & password to be used by anyone other than Computing Department staff.
Do not damage any of the equipment.
Do not download and store culturally undesired/unwanted files in the system.
Do not modify the configuration of equipment, until the permission of Computing Department staff is obtained.
Do not bring any pirated software and install on any of the workstations in the computer lab.
Do not hack any site, as this may cause a framing of criminal case against him/her.
Do not download and install/copy any program from Internet.
Faculty, staff and student must use HUC email, portal account for academic purpose only.
Do not reveal their user name and passwords to other users.
Do not jeopardize the work of any other member or the computing network.
Do not modify the network configuration, until the permission of Computing Department staff is obtained.
The members must abide by the licensing regulations of the software provider regarding use of the software and payment for it.
The members should take permission prior to downloading and installing any software from internet. This includes software such as messaging, chat software, etc.
Do not damage any of the equipment.
Do not bring any eatables or drinks inside the reprographic center.
Students need to obtain coupons to get any photo copies and print outs.
More than 15 pages of a particular book/journal are not allowed.
Students will be provided printing services on first come first serve basis.
Do not use mobile phones inside the classroom & computer lab.
The students must comply with the instructions from a member of Computing Department staff.
No eatables are allowed inside the computer lab.
Uses of mobile phones / smoking are strictly prohibited in computer lab.
Deliberate damage to, or loss of, materials, equipment or furniture is a breach of these regulations, will brought to the notice of dean. Under such circumstances the student may be required to pay for any damage to the property he/she has caused then they should compensate the HUC for any loss it may have suffered

Following rules and regulations must be observed during the use of portal resources.

Students are given access to the portal services which enables them to get information about their attendance, grades, online appointment, registering online suggestions & complaints, HR services. Students can download CDP & study materials, access online e-database/e-books, online request system, online department feedback to track student progression, class schedule, advising, courses enrolled for & results etc., and the students are issued individual username and passwords for using this facility.
Access and Use of Other's ID - All users must use only their personal id and passwords. Any unauthorized means of accessing HUC's computers, networks or other information technology resources is liable for disciplinary action.
Users are requested to avoid misuse of personal email id, portal, class room & ERP id. The users are advised to change their password at regular intervals. If the user are not changing the password within 30 days the system will force the user to change the password (Password must be minimum nine characters with first letter capital followed by any four alphabetic and numeric characters each).
HUC resources are deployed, configured, and operated to serve it's user community. It is important that all users are aware of and abide by HUC IT Usage Policies. Failure to do so may result in suspension or cancellation of the portal id & its allocation and closure of all associated 'logins'.
Users must maintain the security of HUC systems and resources.
Portal Login identifiers belong to a specific individual and must not be shared under any circumstances; login identifier passwords must never be revealed to others, An individual user is allowed only one login identifier.
HUC staff has documented the purpose and proper use of resources and services via a series of user guides and other web-based documents available on the HUC website & HUC User Portal. Users assume the responsibility for becoming familiar with this documentation, particularly relating to issues such as adherence to resource limits, understanding the purpose and proper use of Portal Services, Study Material and proper use of HUC facilities. Access to several HUC portal and virtual resources are accomplished via portal services that is dedicated to this purpose. In addition to gaining access via the "Portal Access".
HUC users are encouraged to request assistance from HUC staff when necessary. All requests for support must be submitted through the IT Helpdesk. Exceptions to this policy will be handled on a case by case basis. HUC support staff will provide advice to users regarding the proper use of HUC resources.
Information regarding important HUC activities, including system availability and upgrades, HUC training (FPD & SDP). HUC Portal User Information can be accessed through the HUC portal, http://www.hu.ac.ae