OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – UW-Oshkosh is using the growing world of technology to further improve learning across all its course offerings.
The University has created a ‘School of Informatics.’
“Informatics is the art, science, and business of digital information in society today,” said Frank Braun, UW-Oshkosh’s Dean of the College of Business.
UW-Oshkosh is using the growing world of technology to further improve learning across all its course offerings. (WLUK)
Informatics is rooted in UWO’s College of Business, but reaches into others such as the College of Letters and Sciences — and even nursing.
“All things are informatics,” said Braun.
Existing majors such as computer science, public relations, information systems and multimedia journalism are part of the School of Informatics.
At the moment, no new majors, minors or classes are being added to the University’s offerings.
“What the School of Informatics is, more than anything at this point, is a model of what we believe the future of learning looks like,” said UW Oshkosh Provost & Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Ed Martini.
“That allows students to study journalism, and computer science, and marketing, and healthcare. All things that actually future ready them… as things like artificial intelligence evolve and change the way we live, work, and engage as a community,” said Braun.
Students Grace Pirillo and Anthony Preston are earning their degrees in Marketing. They both work with the Digital Marketing Clinic of the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center Network.
They say informatics has helped them collaborate with small business owners.
“We can really explain to them what we’re doing and why we’re doing it, so that when they leave the clinic they feel set up for success,” said Pirillo.
With the university facing an $18 million budget deficit, officials say no additional costs were needed to start the school of Informatics.
“Right now, we’re building on the programs and centers that we already have existing,” said Martini.
UWO wants to utilize its School of Informatics to address the increasing demand in careers within the digital world.
“Our goal is to attract not just students from the Fox Valley, but from across the state and across the region,” said Braun.
