Representation of an Academic and Institutional Context using Ontologies

In this paper we describe an ontology model that was designed and implemented to represent academic and institutional contexts related with a research center in Mexico City. The ontology model aims at supporting logicbased query answering and reasoning regarding contexts such as geographical areas, time, persons, libraries, cultural and academic events, teaching and tutoring schedules. The type of questions that the ontology model is capable of answering range from academic issues such as tutoring and thesis supervision; those concerning the location of people, libraries, buildings, roads; those regarding time such as class schedules, event schedules; and even those about the food menu offered at the cafeteria of the institution. In order to evaluate the ontology model, a set of competency questions were translated into SQWRL rule-based query language. Results of queries show the feasibility of using ontological models as the supporting technology to implement ubiquitous and pervasive systems for academic environments.