University of Georgia Launches MyUGA Student Portal on uPortal 3 Open Source Platform

Unicon, Inc., a leading provider of software consulting services for the education market, congratulates the University of Georgia for the successful launch of its next-generation MyUGA Web site based on the open source uPortal 3 platform. MyUGA is a single web site designed primarily for students and providing aggregated access to offer a diverse set of resources and web-based services such as electronic mail, course information, student services news, announcements, events, campus maps, etc. Unicon, a Jasig Approved uPortal Solutions Provider, worked closely with the university’s IT staff for the portal’s planning, configuration, implementation, branding, and training. Representatives from the University of Georgia and Unicon will jointly present a seminar featuring real-world examples of their experiences titled, “MyUGA: Open Source uPortal Implementation at University of Georgia”, at the EDUCAUSE Southeast Regional Conference 2009 on June 2, 2009. More information on the conference, visit: http://net.educause.edu/serc09.

“We are very pleased with the successful launch of our MyUGA next-generation student portal based on uPortal. This open source solution provides us with a secure and scalable enterprise platform with the capability to evolve and expand our online services in the future,” said Rehan Khan, Associate CIO, University of Georgia. “Working with Unicon’s excellent professional services team for our portal implementation was a good choice for us. It enabled our internal IT staff to stay focused on the critical areas of their responsibility, and we could still meet our goals and deadlines for launching MyUGA.”

"Jasig is excited to see another leading higher education institution utilize uPortal 3 as the enterprise platform for their student portal,” said Jonathan Markow, Executive Director of Jasig. "We welcome the University of Georgia to the uPortal community of users worldwide, and congratulate them on their successful launch of MyUGA.”

“The University of Georgia demonstrates sound technological and fiscal judgment by utilizing the open source uPortal 3 platform for its MyUGA next-generation student portal,” said John C. Blakley, CEO of Unicon, Inc. “Unicon worked closely with the university’s Enterprise Information Technology Services staff and Application Development and Database Management group during the implementation, and congratulates both teams on their excellent work and collaboration.”

University of Georgia and Unicon Present at EDUCAUSE Southeast Regional Conference 2009


Tuesday, June 02, 2009, 8:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.


Session Title:
“MyUGA: Open Source uPortal Implementation at University of Georgia”

Presenters:
Rehan Khan, Associate CIO, University of Georgia
Sriman Ravi, IT Manager, University of Georgia
Stephanie LeSueur, Sales Consultant, Unicon, Inc.

Abstract: This presentation will discuss implementing a state-of-the-art portal solution at UGA that replaced the previous portal. It will detail all aspects of the system development life cycle and project management related to the implementation to help beginners and users who are currently implementing a portal solution understand how they can use an open source portal solution or a best-practice approach to portal implementation. Technical as well as project-related details will be covered.

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Johnson Controls Announces Call for Creative Energy Projects Entries

/PRNewswire/ -- Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI) , the global multi-industrial leader in energy efficiency and sustainability, has developed an innovative program to engage kindergarten through 12th grade students across North America in developing ways to make the environment more energy efficient.

"Students play an important role in using energy resources wisely, which reinforces our business of providing energy efficiency solutions for consumers and businesses," said C. David Myers, president, Building Efficiency, Johnson Controls. "Each year, we continue to be impressed by the enthusiasm and ingenuity students and teachers exhibit in demonstrating ways to preserve the environment and conserve energy."

This is the eighth year for the Igniting Creative Energy competition, which provides national winners with valuable educational experiences including the opportunity to meet national leaders and energy policymakers in Washington, D.C. The Challenge, a program developed and funded by Johnson Controls and the National Energy Foundation, is a competition that encourages students to learn more about energy and the environment.

According to Bob Poulson, president of the National Energy Foundation, "It's vital to instill in students the idea that they can creatively contribute to conserving natural resources. It results in improved leadership, character development and service to others, not to mention a better environment."

Student entries should demonstrate an understanding of what an individual, family or group can do in their home, school or community to conserve energy and help the environment. Students may choose to express their ideas in any creative format such as science projects, essays, stories, artwork, photographs, music, videos, web based applications, multimedia projects, etc. They may also submit recent service projects.

Contest Rules and Prizes

The Challenge is open to all students in grades K-12 in the U.S. and Canada, excluding Quebec. All entries are due by March 13, 2009; and winners will be announced April 17, 2009.

A total of four grand prizes will be awarded to three students and one teacher. Three students, one in each grade cluster, whose work best addresses the Challenge criteria, will receive a hosted trip to Washington, D.C. for themselves and a parent or legal guardian. Also, the teacher with the highest average score of student work from 15 or more qualifying entries will also receive a trip for two to Washington, D.C. for the same rewarding educational experience. While in Washington, D.C., students will share their winning Challenge entries with government and energy leaders during the 20th Annual Energy Efficiency Forum, June 15-16, at the National Press Club.

In addition to the national winners, the highest scoring student in each state or province will be recognized. Schools may also be eligible to receive a $1,000 U.S. charitable donation to help beautify their school, educate their students, or impact their community.

Official rules about the contest and a downloadable entry form can be found at the official Challenge Web site, http://www.ignitingcreativeenergy.org/.

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