Call for consultancy Design AAU web portal
1) By using a content management system. (Drupal, Postnuke or other appropriate software) 2) With the integration of various mini web; Database; clearinghouse; Online resource center; Higher Education resource materials
Scope of Work
• The Association of African Universities (AAU) is the apex organization and forum for consultation, exchange of information and co-operation among institutions of higher education in Africa. It represents the voice of higher education in Africa on regional and international bodies and supports networking by institutions of higher education in teaching, research, information exchange and dissemination. The AAU’s web site is http://www.aau.org . The AAU is seeking the services of a consultant or company to redesign its current web site.
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The following are the objectives of the Redesigned AAU website: • • • • • • • • Reduce the time and effort required to launch AAU new programmes web pages Reduce the time and effort to update the AAU web site regarding events like seminars and workshops Produce AAU Programmes’ web sites of consistent high quality Produce AAU staff only web interface for easy update and maintenance of the web site Ensure compliance with new AAU branding rules and technical requirements Add an Intranet module to the AAU web site Allow for a text-only version of the web site This web site will offer user interfaces and content in English, French, and Arabic.
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1.1
Description of Work
Major Tasks
• The contractor is required to develop a new home page that will keep the existing content structure, and will provide easy maintenance capability to update pictures, news and articles. The contractor will develop a web interface for the maintenance of the home page and pages of each AAU Programme. This interface will allow for deletion, addition or editing of new programmes on the home page. Te contractor will develop a web interface to update each AAU Programme web page The contractor will develop a web interface to manage seminars and conferences for each AAU Programme. o o o This web interface will allow AAU staff to modify a pre-defined registration form that is suitable for the event This web interface should be adaptable by staff to each event The staff should be able to view registered participants on a protected web page
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1.2
Deliverables
The contractor will deliver the following to AAU: 1. Two alternate designs for the new home page. 2. AAU web site maintenance modules. 3. Complete module to manage events like conference and workshop. 4. Complete module to manage news, articles on the AAU web site. 5. AAU staff web page interface for Programme pages maintenance. 6. AAU staff only page for registered participants during seminars and workshops. The user should be able to select fields that will be displayed. The AAU and the contactor will agree on a minimum list of field. 7. AAU staff only page that will redirect to a local INTRANET. 8. Train the appropriate AAU Staff on the used CMS tools. 9. Ensure troubleshooting of the web site for one year anytime a problem occurs.
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1.3
Roles and Responsibilities
Table 1 lists the roles and responsibilities of the AAU and the contractor
Table 1. Roles and Responsibilities AAU Provide photographic material, logos, and site content Review and comment on design templates Contractor Prepare site designs and user interfaces as specified Provide selected page template in graphics and text-only versions, converted to working HTML and separate CSS style sheet with coding necessary for navigation elements to function, and build files used to create site graphics (Adobe Photoshop) Design and Implement site programming and databases Make any adjustments needed to achieve AAU branding compliance.
Ensure that the final template meets AAU Accessibility, Privacy Policy Submit the selected template design to AAU for review and approval regarding branding and technical compliance Conduct usability testing Host the final website
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2.1
Design Requirements
Audience
Audiences for the AAU web site include the following: • • • • AAU members include private space with logging African higher education institutions AAU partners General public
Member registration, log in, and role-based security will be used to provide access to protected information on the web site.
2.2
Photographs
Photographs integrated into the design shall be provided by AAU and should meet the following guidance from AAU:
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It is very important to add a human interest touch to the web site. Photos of happy, smiling people, project beneficiaries, and photos that illustrate the objectives and goal of the AAU Images should: • • • • • • • Have a clear subject Be bright and colorful Show assistance in action Show people facing the camera, when possible Show positive benefits and personal impact of AAU assistance Make an emotional connection with the reader/viewer Show the AAU Identity (logo, brand, sub-brands) in context, when appropriate
AAU will provide a selection of photos and will review their use in the design.
2.3
Development tools
The contractor will preferably use open source tools
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AAU Branding Requirements
AAU guidelines for web sites prohibit the display of contractor logos.
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AAU Technical Requirements
4.1
Color Depth and Palette
The design should use a 32-bit color palette
4.2
Graphic Formats
Use JPEG, PNG, or GIF depending on type of image. Other formats may only be used with agreement of AAU. • • JPEG for photographs and shaded graphics PNG or GIF for simpler elements
4.3
Use of Plug-Ins
Plug-ins may be used with agreement from AAU.
4.4
Browser Compatibility
The final templates, including all XHTML and CSS styles, shall be compatible with the following web browsers:
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Microsoft Internet Explorer Version 5.5 or later for Microsoft Windows Operating Systems Mozilla 1.6/Firefox 1.0 or later for Windows, Max OS X, and Linux. Netscape Navigator
4.5
Code Validity
XHTML and CSS code shall be valid against the appropriate schema as tested using the w3c.org tools as follows:http://validator.w3.org/
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AAU Requirements for Page Layout and Site Navigation
Main page layout areas shall include the following: • • • • • • Header Horizontal navigation bar Vertical navigation bar Footer Content area Feature area
For left-to-right languages this general arrangement shall be generally as follows:
Header Horizontal navigation bar Vertical Navigation Bar
Content Area
Feature Area
Footer
For right-to-left languages the arrangement shall be generally as follows:
Header Horizontal navigation bar
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Feature Area
Content Area
Vertical Navigation Bar
Footer
AAU is open to suggestions from the contractor on how to improve this arrangement, particularly concerning placement and arrangement of the header and horizontal navigation bar.
5.1
Page Content Area
The page content area is normally located in the center of the page, surrounded by header/banner, site navigation, and footer. Use black text on a plain white background for contrast and readability. Other page elements may be in other colors, as long as there is good contrast between text and background.
5.2
Controls and Tools
Controls and tools integrated into the design should include the following: • • • • • Search Language selection Email this page (on secondary pages only) Print this page (on secondary pages only) Text-only
Search The search control shall appear on every page. The control should support both quick, simple site search, as well as a more advanced search capability. Language Selection The language selection tool shall appear on every page and shall support up to three user interface languages. The contractor shall construct template designs in English, French and in Arabic. The AAU shall be responsible for providing all translations for languages other than English. Email this page & Print this page These two tools shall be integrated into the secondary page designs only.
5.3
Context Indicators
Context indicators integrated into the design should include the following:
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Login/out indicator (indicates whether user is logged in; displays username if user is logged in) Section indicator on vertical navigation bar Group indicator (optional; indicates whether logged in user is member of a specific programme )
5.4
Site Wide Navigation
Site-wide navigation should include the following: • • Home Search
5.5
Horizontal Navigation Bar
The horizontal navigation bar may contain site-wide navigation elements, links to programs specific features (e.g. “Job Openings”), a group membership indicator, the login/logout user indicator, and other navigation links and context indicators.
5.6
Programme Vertical Navigation Bar
Selections on the vertical navigation bar will vary depending on program requirements. A typical top level list is shown below. • • • • • • • • Home About News: what’s news; focus and editorial page Events: calendars of events Higher education resource: Online resource center; publications, Databases etc. Useful Links Contact Us Workshop registration
The design should accommodate optional separation of top-level selections into two or more logical groups. The design should accommodate up to two levels of selections, with the second level indicated using indentation, smaller font size, or both.
5.7
Feature Area
The feature area for left-to-right languages is an optional column to the right of the content area. This area may contain the search tool, subscribe tool, a special announcement, a news panel, a scheduled events panel, or other information.
5.8
Footer
The footer shall contain a copyright statement, explanation of the use of “AAU” as a trademark, links to legal statements, and a “Comments & Questions” link.
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