Profile: Uzma Kazmi – VSO

Kazmi is spearheading a managed videoconferencing service roll-out, through mvision, to improve collaboration between VSO’s international teams, deliver vital training, reduce business flights and support the recruitment and placement of volunteers. The systems manager started at VSO in 2005, after it merged with smaller charity Beso.

- What are your main responsibilities?

I’m currently leading development projects and support within the IT department. The vcon proposal and implementation is a spin-off from a wider communications project for international meetings. Vcon was proposed to reduce travel expenditure and provide a motivating communication tool that will increase the productivity of international teams.

- Has greater adoption of vcon made a difference to the job?

Yes – I am now overseeing communication tools within IT in addition to providing support to our helpdesk. Other than that, my job is now more focused on managing development projects and leading development support issues.

- What’s the most important thing in your in-tray?

I am currently working with our CUSO-VSO colleagues in Canada to implement vcon in their office. This involves highlighting the benefits of vcon as well as helping with learning from implementation in the areas where we recruit volunteers – that’s Canada, Ireland, India, Kenya, the Netherlands, Philippines and the UK. VSO’s global leadership team sees vcon as an important communication tool for ongoing discussions through the year between offices.

- What’s the most impressive technology you’ve used?

It’s definitely got to be vcon. I recently had a week in which I spent more time talking to people overseas than I did to people in my own office. I have been over to some of our other offices on work trips to train individuals on business-critical applications, but the use of vcon will not only provide an improved communication medium, but also a method to distribute training, hold interviews or just simply to talk with international colleagues – with the feeling that you are really connecting with them. It truly gives you the feeling of working for an international organisation.

- What makes you tick?

For me, it’s all about what something I can do to make the world a bit better – working where I do, every day is a reminder to appreciate how much more we have in comparison to so many others in the world. I’m a really family-oriented person – I have two sisters and a close-knit family that supports and motivate me. What do I do for fun? Action movies are really my thing – though I wouldn’t confess to having a particular action hero.