Information Technology Services (ITS)
IT@UofT People — Baseer Baig
Published on: May 23, 2024
The backbone of any successful team is its hard-working people. The University of Toronto’s Information Technology Services (ITS) unit is no exception. It is made up of a diverse range of people with an even greater diversity in their interests and talents.
In this segment, entitled “IT@UofT People,” we will get to know our IT@UofT team across the tri-campus community and find out more about their hidden or not-so-hidden talents and/or pursuits outside of work.
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Department: Information & Instructional Technology Services (I&ITS), University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM)
Title: Digital Workspace Specialist
How long have you worked at U of T?
About 15 years! I started working at UTM as a work-study/casual student under the Technology Resource Centre in 2009, as it was known at the time. I have been a full-time employee in I&ITS since September 2011.
What is your secret or not-so-secret talent or hobby outside of work?
I’m an avid gamer, primarily PC gaming. I love getting a good gaming session going any time I can gather a crowd! I’m currently playing a mix of Counter Strike 2 and Hell Drivers 2, which I’m really enjoying.
How and why did you get involved in this hobby?
I’ve been an avid gamer from a young age. My earliest memory of interacting with computers goes back to watching the local computer guy build our family’s first computer on the Intel MMX chipset. Oh, to witness the amazing Intel pentium MMX 233Mhz processor! Ever since watching him setup our first game, Westwood Studios (Now EA) Red Alert, my interest has never wavered!
Do you have any outstanding memories or accomplishments from this hobby?
I think my biggest gaming accomplishment was when I got a chance to play competitively in Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory. It was a tough tournament – we were thoroughly outclassed – but it was an experience I will never forget.
Another accomplishment was during my MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) days when playing World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade. We, almost 25 players, spent close to six hours trying to defeat a full raid. When we eventually did, the sense of relief and accomplishment was indescribable.
Do you have any professional training in this field?
I am self-taught, mostly by watching YouTube videos and playing with friends… and humbly losing more often than I care to admit!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A little late but Go Leafs Go…there’s always next year!