The security certificate used for connecting to the eduroam wi-Fi service is due to expire
This certificate will be replaced on Thursday 11th August at 12 Noon. Changes in the certificate chain mean a different top-level certificate is issued to validate the HWU authentication servers that users connect to.
This change will result in users having to re-configure their personal devices to maintain connectivity to the eduroam Wi-Fi service, when on a HWU campus or other eduroam participating institution.
Apple devices, running iOS, will likely notify a user about the certificate change. The new certificate is issued by GEANT OV RSA CA 4 and users should accept this new certificate at the point of connecting to maintain connectivity.
Unfortunately, users with Android, Windows, macOS and Linux devices may be required to manually amend their existing configurations or delete and replace them with the new certificate settings included.
The easiest way of correcting any issues is to remove any existing eduroam profiles (and uninstall the SecureW2 app from any mobile device), connect to the HWU Wi-Fi Setup service and install a new profile using the SecureW2 configuration utility for personal devices.
** Please note that users with HWU managed laptops should NOT need to run the SecureW2 config utility
If you need any further help please contact your local campus IT Helpdesk.
Fines for overdue library items were suspended during lockdown when all campus libraries were closed and travel was restricted. Heriot-Watt University is putting in place a fines amnesty. Staff, students and graduates are now encouraged to return their overdue library books so they can be borrowed by current and future library users. Library fines will continue to be waived until 31 July 2022. We just want the books back, no questions asked.
FAQs
What is an overdue fines amnesty?
Heriot-Watt University campus libraries will welcome back overdue library books from 1 May 2022 to 31 July 2022. You will not be fined for late returns.
Where can I return my overdue books?
In the UK, if another Heriot-Watt University campus is closer to you – i.e. Edinburgh campus – then you can return the books there.
Some of our campus libraries have a book return box outside their library entrance so it is even easier to return.
Can I post my overdue books to you?
In the UK, we can provide a pre-paid postal label for you to return your overdue library books. Parcels are limited to under 2kg. Get in touch with your campus library’s service desk for more details and instructions:
Will my fines be automatically waived or do I need to contact the library?
We encourage you to contact your campus library service desk following the drop off or posting of overdue library books. Library staff will be pleased to hear from you and will be able to confirm the book(s) safe return and waive any library fines.
Introduction Information Services is a global team, providing support and services across our campuses in the UK, Dubai and Malaysia as well as to our global online student community. At the present time many of our services are based out of and supported from the Edinburgh campus. This means that some services may be limited over the festive period.
Our libraries
The Edinburgh campus library will be closed between 12:30 on December 23 and 08:30 on January 5.
The Borders library will also be closed between 17:00 on December 23 and 08:45 on January 5 although library staff will be available remotely on December 24.
The Orkney library will be closed between 18:00 on December 23 and 09:00 on January 5.
Access to electronic resources will also continue to be available globally.
Our services
We have designed our services to be as resilient as possible but we cannot guarantee that there will be 100% availability over the festive period.
In addition to monitoring from our Dubai and Malaysia teams, we have automated monitoring and alerting tools in place. Critical issues only will be responded to in order to allow the Information Services teams based in the UK to enjoy the break.
Dubai and Malaysia teams will provide best efforts to resolve any issues across our campuses as they arise, escalating critical issues to the IS leadership team as needed who will determine the most appropriate response.
Due to an important upgrade Resource Booker will be offline on Friday 26 Nov from 8am to approx 12pm.
Users will not be able to make new bookings or edit/delete existing bookings during this time but you will be able to view existing bookings on system.
This is issue is now resolved There are currently some problems being experienced while downloading PDF content on the Wiley Online platform. This is due to extra security checks being put in place by the supplier for all customers including Universities. They are working on restoring access as soon as possible. Apologies for any inconvenience.
Studying at home and finding it hard to concentrate? Writing retreats are used by writers, academics and students all over the world as they provide a supportive environment, accountability and protected time to focus on your work.
We are running two-hour retreats on 18, 19 and 21 October for any undergraduate or masters level student to join. The times are:
Dubai: 1pm – 3.10pm
Malaysia: 5pm – 7.10pm
UK: 10am – 12.10pm
Hosted by the Global Effective Learning Service, all you need to do is come prepared with some tasks you want to work on (and they don’t have to be focused on writing). We recommend trying to set SMART* goals for yourself, but the most important thing is to have an idea of what you want to achieve by the end of the retreat. This could relate to an assignment, revising for exams or another study goal. Some examples include:
Information Services will be running a number of training workshops for staff in the coming months. To view the full calendar and book your place on any of the sessions, visit https://bit.ly/infoservicestraining
Workshops topics include:
Introduction to Collaborate Ultra
Stream – Managing your content
Teams – The latest updates
Video and podcast creation
An introduction to Padlet
An introduction to using Turning Point
SharePoint Hub administrator
We look forward to welcoming you to these sessions.
IS has also created a new SharePoint site which is packed with lots of useful guidance on Collaborate, Stream, E-books, Office 365 and much more. Click here to access the IS Training site
2. Multi-Factor Authentication has been enabled on your account. You will be prompted to set up MFA next time you authenticate to any Office 365 services. On your PC or laptop device, once you’ve entered your username and password as usual, you’ll see the following screen:
Click ‘Next’ and the Additional security verification screen will appear. In the drop-down box, select ‘Mobile App’ and ‘Receive notifications for verification’ as in the image below.
Now click ‘Set up’ – you’ll see the next screen:
3. On your mobile phone, start the Microsoft Authenticator App.
Once in the App, you need to:
Click on the 3 dots in the top right-hand corner of the screen
Click ‘Add account’
Select ‘Work or school account’
Select ‘Scan a QR code’
Allow any permissions for your app to use the phone camera
Scan the QR code on your screen using your phone. The account is now linked to your App.
4. On your PC, click ‘Next’ and you should see a message indicating that the App has been set up. You can click Next again – at this point you will be asked to respond to a pop-up notification on your phone from the Authenticator App – this is how you will be prompted every time you access your account on an unknown device.
Once the setup is complete, you’ll be prompted to enter a phone number. Please provide this: it will help if, for some reason, you lose access through the App. The phone number will not be used for marketing purposes.
Click ‘Finish’. Your account is secured with Microsoft Multi-Factor Authentication. Nobody can access your HWU account without being in possession of your username, password, and – most importantly – your unlocked mobile phone.
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