Exterity, the specialist in network IPTV, has installed a complete IPTV system at University College London (UCL) Language Departments to enhance the study experience for students by providing a vital resource for linguistic and cultural learning. Students learning any of the 18 languages on offer at UCL can view live TV from the country of their choice on 60 individual PCs within the departments. The University is using the system as part of its strategy to uphold its position as one of the world’s leading educational institutions.
UCL is spread across multiple sites in London, and the language departments occupy five separate buildings. Previously, the departments did not have a centralised, scalable TV solution that delivered live TV feeds for language students. The Exterity solution uses the existing IP network to stream crystal-clear TV live from around the world to enhance the learning experience. Students can easily access the system from any of the 60 PCs and view a virtually unlimited global archive of instructive material, without the inconvenience of having to locate and retrieve videos.
Sibylle Nalezinski, IT & Multimedia Support Officer for the Languages of the Wider World centre at University College London comments: “Students benefit from watching live TV direct from foreign countries as they can see the language they are studying being used naturally, and learn about that country’s culture, adding an extra dimension to the learning experience. UCL prides itself on being one of the most innovative learning centres in the world and so it was vital to enhance the departments with the innovative technology that reflects this.”
With an ongoing renovation project in progress across the University, and departments often moving between buildings, the flexible nature of the Exterity solution was imperative. The IPTV system plugs into the IP network, which is in every building already, so as many PC end points as required can be added to the system or moved as needed.
UCL can easily provide additional content to support current and future languages on offer to students. The system is infinitely scalable because extra channels and on-demand videos could easily be added should requirements change. In addition, extra end-points such as TVs, projectors and PCs could be installed without additional cabling. This makes the network ITPV system a future-proof and cost-effective choice.
Colin Farquhar, CEO, Exterity, says “It is important to remember that a University is a business as well as an educational institution, and key to becoming and remaining a successful business is attracting students with pioneering teaching techniques and unparalleled learning opportunities. By installing a network IPTV system, UCL continues to set itself apart from its competitors, making it a very attractive prospect for potential students, who will enjoy world class language facilities.