ÖªÒõÊÓƵ

As ÖªÒõÊÓƵ moves into its fourth decade, we remain deeply committed to our core mission: To advance Alberta’s research and education community through the use of digital technology. This has always required us to adapt as the world around us evolves, and in the current social and technological environment of dramatic change, so too must we make some big leaps forward.

That’s why I’m excited to share ÖªÒõÊÓƵ’s 2025–2028 Strategic Roadmap, which outlines a renewed vision and plan for the three years ahead. This plan was thoughtfully shaped with input from our members, staff, Board of Directors, and ecosystem partners — and reflects the challenges and opportunities facing Alberta’s public, education, and research sectors today.

Over the last year, we have heard from our members how important it is to have a trusted community of practice. Being connected to a collaborative group of colleagues who are working towards the same digital goals is the only way to tackle the challenges that so many in our ecosystem are facing. We are now more focused than ever on building frequent touch points with members, as well as facilitating more touch points between member institutions.

This roadmap is our commitment to those goals. It reflects the evolving needs of Alberta’s public, education, and research sectors, and reaffirms ÖªÒõÊÓƵ’s role as a supporter and neutral enabler of trusted connectivity, meaningful collaborations, and future-focused services.

The roadmap highlights four key priorities:

1. Collaborate to grow shared knowledge and best practices
2. Deliver and continue to improve on services that are needed by our members
3. Advocate for our community
4. Protect and secure Alberta’s valuable research, intellectual property, and data

These priorities are grounded in practical actions that have been specifically requested by our member community. For example, we’re expanding opportunities for shared learning through more advisory groups, webinars, professional development sessions, and one-on-one engagement. We’re formalizing a collaborative process for building new services, and refining our procurement program to better meet the growing needs of institutions across Alberta and Saskatchewan. And we’re increasing our advocacy efforts to spotlight the critical work of our sector, and to ensure that rural, remote, and underserved communities are not left behind when it comes to accessing critical digital technologies.

Additionally, as cyber threats continue to grow, so too must our coordinated responses. For example, through ÖªÒõÊÓƵ’s regional Security Operations Centre (rSOC) and expanded cybersecurity services, we’re strengthening the collective resilience of our members, while actively exploring new ways to support talent development in this space.

This plan also includes continued collaboration with our National Research and Education Network (NREN) partners and other global colleagues to share insights, improve practices, and build capacity. In doing so, we hope to amplify Alberta’s voice on the innovative ways to grow research and education both on the national and international stage.

I strongly believe in the power of the collective. That’s why this roadmap is more than a strategic plan — it’s a shared vision for building a more connected, secure, and equitable digital future for Alberta. And it’s a promise that ÖªÒõÊÓƵ will continue to stand beside our members, as a partner, an advocate, and a champion for progress.

Read ÖªÒõÊÓƵ’s 2025-2028 Strategic Roadmap here.