The National Context
The Technician Commitment is a university and research institution initiative, led by a steering board of sector bodies, hosted within the UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy.
Ulster University's Context
Across research, teaching and technical professional services, technicians make an impact in academic excellence and in supporting the environment in which academic ambitions thrive – for staff, students and partner organisations in diverse sectors.
We are supporting our technician community to share its story, find its voice and take its place within Ulster University’s People, Place and Partnership strategy: recognising the unique skills and talents of technicians, showcasing the positive impact in the places and spaces in which research and teaching thrive and encouraging partnerships across disciples and within sectors, as well as strengthening a sustainable future workforce pipeline for the essential technical skills in higher education.
Putting knowledge into practice
Meet just some of our technicians at work and the see the contribution they make in research, education, and the student learning experience.
Hear from our Senior Leaders and Student Perspective
Our leaders in Research, Education and Student Experience, digital technology and our Students’ Union outline the importance and impact of technicians at Ulster.
Odette Hutchinson
Pro Vice Chancellor Academic Quality and Student Experience
Across Ulster University, technicians play a critical role in enabling students to become effective and engaged learners.
As an institution that promotes active learning pedagogies, students are supported and engaged in learning by doing and developing their knowledge and understanding as subject specialists and agile problem solvers, able to apply their technical know-how and critical thinking skills.
Offering both practical guidance and pastoral encouragement, technicians support the transition into university life and practical learning, and actively nurture the skills and technical confidence for graduate employment. Every day, in labs, studios and specialist learning spaces, UU technicians are making a vital contribution to the development of key Graduate Attributes and supporting the transformation of students into dynamic, creative and thriving graduates.
Professor Liam Maguire
Pro Vice Chancellor Research
Technicians are at the heart of much of our research across a range of disciplines - from the upkeep of specialist lab spaces, equipment and resources to health and safety and the specification or procurement of Teaching.
They provide essential support to researchers and those within our PhD community, regularly demonstrating equipment or techniques, supporting the running of clinical trials as well as research students and staff.
Their specialist skills also come to the fore in the operation of research and analytical equipment, field work sample collection and data collation and interpretation. Contributing to method development and modification which supports the development of research papers, technicians are integral to research inquiry and impact.
Finola Quigg
Ulster University Students’ Union, VP Education:
Technicians play an important part in active and engaging learning, bringing the subject to life in ways that best prepare students for their future career.
From supporting new students to feel at home in specialist learning spaces such as our studios and labs, to encouraging confidence ahead of placement year, our talented technicians help to ensure that students are equipped with the technical skills to make the most of their learning.
Technicians are so often on hand to help solve problems, test ideas, and encourage not only capability but also an enduring interest and enthusiasm for the possibilities of technology, materials, and specialist resources. From culinary arts to health sciences, creative industries to engineering, UU technicians are experts in their field, playing a vital role in learning and also supporting the activities of very many student societies in diverse subjects.
Mark Taglietti
Chief Digital and Information Officer
Digital Services provide a variety of services to staff and students, including the management, hosting, development and support of technical infrastructure, end-point-technology, enterprise applications, collaboration platforms and remote access solutions, and the support of teaching and learning technologies, and spaces.
This collective effort brings together colleagues from multiple portfolio functions to work in an integrated and collaborative way incorporating Infrastructure and Operations, Enterprise Applications, ICT Governance & Cyber Security, the Digital Project Management and Innovation team, Reprographics, and the Service Desk on hand to support students and staff with queries and solutions.
Each of these vital areas is supported by skilled technical engineers, subject matter experts and technicians who ensure that our digital and technical infrastructure is remains available, stable, resilient, and secure across the many databases, websites and servers that are a part of the daily staff, student, and visitor experience at Ulster University.