Dit is een bog standard WordPress om dingen mee uit te testen, vooral Gutenberggedoe, in het kader van –hoezee!– het UGent Website Services-project (UWS).
Kwestie van te zien hoe hard we Drupal in de buurt van een gebruiksvriendelijke ervaring voor editors kunnen duwen, terwijl we toch genoeg controle houden op hoe de dingen eruitzien.

This is a bog-standard WordPress setup designed to experiment with various features, primarily focusing on Gutenberg in the context of the Ghent University Website Services project (UWS). The objective is to gauge how closely we can approximate the user-friendly experience that Drupal offers to editors, while still maintaining adequate control over the appearance of the content.
In this vein, the project aims to explore the versatility and adaptability of WordPress as a content management system. By delving into Gutenberg’s block editor, the project seeks to enhance the editorial workflow, making it more intuitive and efficient for users. This initiative is a part of a broader effort to streamline digital content management at Ghent University, ensuring that the platform remains both powerful and accessible to all users. Through rigorous testing and continuous feedback, the UWS project aspires to push the boundaries of what is possible with WordPress, thereby setting a new standard for academic and research website management.
As part of this endeavor, the project team is dedicating significant resources to customizing and extending the capabilities of Gutenberg blocks. By tailoring these blocks to meet the specific needs of the university’s digital ecosystem, the aim is to provide a more flexible and dynamic toolkit for content creators. This customization process involves not only tweaking existing blocks to better align with the university’s branding and design principles but also developing new blocks that cater to unique content types and presentation styles required by various departments and research groups within the university.

Furthermore, the UWS project places a strong emphasis on user training and support. Recognizing that the success of any digital platform hinges on its adoption by the user base, the team is committed to offering comprehensive training sessions, detailed documentation, and responsive support channels. These resources are designed to empower editors and content managers across the university, enabling them to fully leverage the capabilities of the WordPress platform. By fostering a community of skilled and confident digital content creators, the project aims to enhance the overall quality and impact of the university’s online presence.
In addition to technical enhancements and user support, the project also prioritizes accessibility and inclusivity. Ensuring that the website is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, is a key objective. This commitment to accessibility is reflected in the careful design of Gutenberg blocks and the overall website architecture, which adhere to international web accessibility standards. By integrating accessibility considerations into every aspect of the project, the UWS team aspires to create a digital environment that is welcoming and usable for everyone in the university community and beyond.
Lastly, the UWS project is not just about enhancing the technical capabilities of the university’s digital platforms; it’s also about fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration among staff and students. By encouraging the sharing of ideas and best practices, the project aims to spark creative solutions to digital communication challenges. Through workshops, hackathons, and collaborative projects, the UWS initiative hopes to bring together diverse perspectives and expertise, driving forward the digital transformation of Ghent University in a way that is inclusive, innovative, and impactful.

