For many graduate students, a thesis defence is more than just an academic requirement; it’s the final milestone––a moment that’s both nerve-wracking and exciting. After years of research, writing, and revision, they log in online or step into a room to defend their work. Educational Technologies has long played an important role in making sure the technology runs smoothly during these thesis defenses. From setting up meeting links to monitoring sessions in real time, the team has been there throughout, just in case something goes wrong. But as the University community embraces the benefits of digital tools, a new model is taking shape for effectiveness.
Opportunities for improved efficiency
The University of Ottawa will transition to a faculty-based model for online thesis defence support. Faculties will take the lead in setting up and managing the technical components for thesis defences in their respective faculty. The decision follows an Information Technology review, conducted in consultation with the Academic Information Committee, to evaluate the impact and efficiency of the current support model. The review found that while the centralized model provided peace of mind, technical issues during defences were rare—even as support staff were committed for extended periods. This finding prompted a shift toward a more efficient, faculty-led model.
An effective support model
Moving to a localized model will allow for a more efficient use of resources, while still ensuring timely and faculty-specific support. To support this transition, Information Technology is providing faculties with the following:
- Step-by-step guides for setting up and managing thesis defences on Zoom and Microsoft Teams
- Quick reference sheets
- Information sessions for faculty and support staff
- Phone assistance with priority queuing for urgent issues during live defences
By empowering faculties to manage their own events, the University is fostering greater ownership, flexibility, and confidence; all while maintaining the strong connection to central IT when and where it matters most.