Innovation Department at OIT

Welcome to the Innovation Department

The Innovation Department within OIT aims to support the University's pursuit of cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions. Our mission is to identify strategic problems within the university and propose creative solutions that enhance the overall experience for students, faculty, and staff.

Our Role

Our dedicated team is constantly exploring the latest trends and technological advancements within the industry and the realm of higher education. We manage the intake of new ideas, prioritize them based on strategic alignment and potential impact, and examine the necessary resources to bring these ideas to life.

Framework and Priorities

Our Framework

Our structured framework ensures the smooth execution of innovation projects:

• Intake & Prioritization: We manage the intake of new ideas and prioritize them based on strategic importance.
• Facilitation and Scaling: Developing frameworks to facilitate effective innovation and manage the handoff of successful projects.
• Knowledge Management and Culture: Documenting innovation knowledge and fostering a culture of innovation on campus.

Our Priorities

We focus on both short-term and long-term goals to ensure continuous improvement and impactful results.

Short-Term Priorities:

• Identifying efficiencies both in education and administrative processes
• Developing AI capabilities and proof of concept projects
• Securing resources and establishing documentation practices
• Facilitating knowledge transfer and scaling successful projects

Long-Term Priorities:

• Maintaining a repository of innovation knowledge
• Promoting campus awareness and fostering an innovation culture
• Supporting resource planning and workforce capacity management

Our Department Directory

Our team is led by a Director who provides strategic leadership and direction. The team also includes:

• Lee Pierce – Director of Innovation and Outreach
• Tabitha Wiles - Business Design Expert: Integrates innovative business strategies and design thinking into projects.
• Li-Wei Yu - Technology Solution Specialist: Focuses on developing and implementing technology solutions.
• Vacant - Technology Innovation Lead: Oversees technological advancements and innovative solutions.

Join us on our journey to transform the university experience through innovation and creativity!