Susan Hickman
The University of Ottawa’s personalized viewbook, launched in October 2007, is the winner of a silver award from the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE).
The viewbook, unique in Canada, allows prospective students to directly access relevant information about the University. By following eight simple steps online and by specifying which programs and aspects of university life are of the most interest (co-operative education, sports, and so on), students receive in the mail a brochure tailored specifically to their needs.
The publication includes admission information and prerequisites specific to their province of studies. Next year, says François Chapleau, associate vice-president, Strategic Enrollment Management and Registrar, the book will be even more personalized, customized more directly to the geographical area of the candidates.
While students receive only one copy of the viewbook in their home mailbox, they can use the online questionnaire to generate as many different electronic copies of their viewbook as they wish.
More than 6,700 orders have been received since the University introduced the personalized viewbook, which even includes the candidate’s name and a front cover of his or her choice.
The viewbook, which has since been branded as “an ecological solution,” due to the fact that it doesn’t waste hundreds of unwanted pages, “is an amazing project,” says Chapleau, who wants to focus on promoting it more next year.
According to Louise Jubinville, communications officer, who brought the concept back to the University from the United States, the purchase of Talisma software a year ago and the technical capabilities of St. Joseph Printing allowed the project to move forward.
CCAE will acknowledge the University of Ottawa’s achievement at its national conference in Kelowna, B.C., from June 7 to 10. The University’s 48 Hours Campaign to raise funds for student financial aid also won a CCAE silver award in the Best New Idea, “Creativity on a Shoestring” category.
