UC Tech Lands at UC Merced This Summer

Hundreds of University of California technology professionals will converge on UC Merced's campus this week for a conference aimed at sharing ideas, highlighting best practices and collaborating across the system.

But UC Tech, as it's called, is also an opportunity for the host campus to show off the community around it, and UC Merced is leaning into that with events that will bring attendees downtown into stores and cafes.

This year's conference, set July 8-10, is themed "To the Metal: Reflect. Reforge. Reimagine." According to organizers, the theme highlights the strength of the UC tech community as an adaptable, empowered force reshaping the higher education landscape.

Initially called the University of California Computing Services Conference, UC Tech began in 1982 as a grass-roots effort by UC campuses to share common knowledge and information. The first event, focused on academic software, was held in a conference room on the UC Santa Cruz campus with 21 people in attendance.

The meeting has evolved into a full conference experience for more than 400 people, with keynote speakers, breakout sessions and a sponsor fair with 25 industry supporters. By connecting with IT colleagues from other campuses, attendees can learn how others address problems and implement innovative solutions.

Attendees will take part in activities highlighting the community and attractions near the campus. During a "Metal on Main" event, participants will visit participating businesses and collect stamps from each for entries into a raffle drawing. Optional gatherings are planned at nearby Lake Yosemite and, on July 11, Yosemite National Park.

"We're thrilled to be hosting our colleagues and partners from across the state here in Merced - many for the first time - showing off our amazing campus and community," said Vice Chancellor and Chief Information Officer Nick Dugan. "I'm especially excited to bring everyone downtown for Metal on Main to eat, drink and mingle in our local businesses."

Teams and individuals also will compete for the UC Tech Awards.

Founded in 2001, these awards are given each year in seven categories that highlight askill or value that has driven technological advancement across the UC system. They are the AI Impact Award, Larry L. Sautter Award for Innovation in Information Technology, IT Security Award, Yvonne Tevis UC Collaboration Award, Mojgan A. Amini Operational Excellence Award, Design Award and Sustained Impact Award.

These awards celebrate individuals and teams within the university's technology community for significant contributions to advancing UC's mission through innovative tools and approaches.

At the end of the conference, the organizers will "Pass the Buck" - sending a dollar bill with the names and dates of event hosts to the next UC Tech location.

"UC Tech is UC at its best - reminding us that we do our best work together," Dugan said." Whether it's finding an all-important collaborator for an esoteric technology problem or broadly sharing our approach to major challenges and opportunities like artificial intelligence, harnessing our collective wisdom and sharing the beauty of our campuses is a great summer highlight and tradition that we're happy to bring to Merced."