Working remotely

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Letter to Professional Academic and Support Staff

14 April 2020

Dear Colleagues

COVID-19: Professional and Support Staff

We trust that you are safe and coping in this difficult time. With the announcement of the initial 21-day lockdown commencing on 27 March 2020, and the extension by a further two weeks by President Ramaphosa, the University has had to rethink ways in which to continue to function and serve both our staff and students. Each one of us is being professionally and personally challenged to work differently. We are heartened by the ways in which so many of you have already responded to the situation with a visible determination to meet the commitments we have to our university, our students and our colleagues. We thank you for this commitment…read more

Computer

University of Johannesburg (UJ) has taken some necessary steps to ensure that the transition to working remotely is as seamless as possible.

ICS has the following tools available should you be required to work off campus/remotely.

Quick links (downloadable guides)

VPN – Access UJ systems Remotely (FortiClient)

VPN is a virtual private network connection that allows a user to connect from home to the UJ internal services like Oracle, ITS and the budget tool (IDU). ICS makes use of the FortiClient VPN client which allows you to connect with your UJ login credentials. The FortiClient VPN enables a secure connection from your home to the UJ network. You do not require the FortiClient VPN client to access your email (outlook), Blackboard / Ulink, MS Teams, or Skype for Business.

ICS staff will assist in the installation of the VPN client remotely but you must have Microsoft Teams or Skype for Business installed on your computer. Please contact the ICS Helpdesk by sending an email to helpdesk@uj.ac.za to arrange for the installation of the FortiClient VPN on your machine. The Helpdesk agents will arrange a date and time suitable for the installation.

If you already have the FortiClient VPN client installed, find the attached guide to configure your VPN connection. Should you not be able to access your systems, please contact the helpdesk on 011 559 8888 or helpdesk@uj.ac.za.

Microsoft Teams

“Microsoft Teams is the hub for team collaboration in Office 365 that integrates the people, content, and tools your team needs to be more engaged and effective online”

Microsoft Teams should be on your computer already. You can search for it by clicking on the search icon or the Windows icon bottom left of your screen and type Microsoft Teams. If you cannot find it, you can also install it from the Software Center, while connected to the FortiClient VPN. (The Software center can also be found by clicking on the Windows icon and typing Software center).

To learn about MS Teams please click here

Microsoft Teams quick start guide for EDU

Download UJ Installation Guide

Blackboard Collaborate

For communication with students or colleagues use Bb Collaborate Ultra. Collaborate can host 500 students at a time, have a number of great functions and uses considerable less data per session and recording than most other online communication software. Instructions are in CAT’s Tools and Tips for Teaching and Learning while Off-campus guidelines and can be accessed at here. Sign in at the bottom of the page with a “third-party account”. All academic staff will find this organisation active on their Blackboard. Go to the organisation tab where you will find “UJ Toolkit for Off-Campus Teaching and Learning”.