FOCUS AREAS

Focus areas

SURF focuses on a number of themes that promote ICT innovation in higher education and research. Each theme brings together knowledge and activities in this field, usually categorised according to specific areas of attention.

Digital Rights

Innovations in e-learning and e-science are frequently hampered by digital rights issues. SURF provides advice and support for higher education and research regarding digital rights. Read more

Green ICT

The enormous increase in the number of ICT applications consumes energy and produces CO2 emissions, also in the higher education institutions. SURF is working with the higher education institutions to find ways of reducing ICT-related energy consumption in the sector. Read more

Innovation in Education

Together with institutions in the field, SURF encourages innovation in higher education through the use of ICT. It does so by financing projects, knowledge-sharing and professionalization, by identifying trends, and by developing new expertise. Read more

Organising with ICT

For education and research to be as effective as possible, high-quality support processes are necessary. SURF therefore focuses on providing support for process design and organisation at higher education institutions. Read more

Scholarly Communication

SURF strives for innovation in scientific communication, using the latest developments in ICT. These offer opportunities that go much further than traditional ways of creating and sharing knowledge. Read more

Cloud computing

It is important for higher education institutions to give careful consideration to just how they utilise the power of cloud computing. Working together in the context of SURF means they can reap the benefits on a much greater scale and can combine their purchasing power. Read more

Collaboration infrastructure

Students, researchers, and staff at educational institutions are increasingly using the Internet to exchange information and to collaborate. SURFnet provides a variety of services for online collaboration in the higher education and research sector. Read more

Network infrastructure

SURFnet’s hybrid network is one of the fastest and most innovative networks in the world. It offers both Internet via IP and fixed and dynamic lightpaths. Read more

Security and privacy

Educational institutions wish to protect their information and applications against unauthorised access, but they also need to ensure that these can be accessed by students. SURF and SURFnet put a great deal of effort into security. Read more