Service Description

Video conferencing has grown in use in recent years throughout the academic community, both in the UK & Ireland and throughout the world.

The capabilities of video conferencing to link lecturers and students, irrespective of time or distance, has empowered Universities with greater potential to support larger groups of students and enabled academics to foster links with experts, business and industry leaders and peers worldwide.

Videoconferencing technology is also used for international research, and non-academic purposes, such as committee meetings, staff development, employment interviews and working groups.

Conferences can be recorded and stored on a server for controlled on-demand viewing at a later date.

There are three methods of service delivery and a conference can be based on any one of these or a combination of the methods depending on requirements.

1.     Room/studio-based

Room or studio-based video conferencing systems are available at all four campuses. A studio based conferencing system is a fixed, dedicated system which is fully integrated into the teaching and learning environment. Facilities include audience camera, plasma screens, dedicated microphones, speakers, presenter’s desk, presenter’s camera, visualiser and networked PCs for sharing files and collaborating between sites.                

2.     Mobile

Mobile videoconference systems consist of a 40 inch plasma monitor, camera, speakers and microphone mounted on a purpose built trolley. They are suitable for venues accommodating up to 20 participants. A laptop cable connection is provided for the transmission of presentations within the conference.                              

3.     Desktop

Desktop systems are computer based videoconferencing packages which allow users to make videoconferencing connections from their personal computers. A webcam and a microphone are all that are required to connect to a colleague, researcher or a distance learning student. ISD has adopted  Radvision’s secure ‘Click-to-Meet’ system for this purpose as it can be linked into our core video conferencing environment. Over 200 users make regular use of this service. 

• Suites and lecture theatres are equipped with fixed PC, DVD and visualiser
• Fixed VC units and mobile units are enabled for laptop connection
• Lecture theatres equipped with video conferencing facilitate multiple campus lecture delivery

As the facility is heavily used, University staff are required to make advance bookings to use the service. Videoconference bookings are incorporated within the University on-line room bookings system. The booking of conference facilities is a three stage process:

1. Check the room booking system for the availability of rooms.
2. Request bookings for the required rooms through the online system.
3. When the room booking has been confirmed, complete the on-line form to provide details of the video conferencing requirements.

The user receives booking confirmed by e-mail after each of the last two stages.

To make a booking:

• log into the staff Portal
• click on the Staff Services tab
• select Room Bookings in the Physical Resources Helpdesk channel

The rights to make bookings have been assigned to designated members of staff within the various business units of the University.

Supporting Materials

The service is available to all registered staff of the University.

To ensure your conference runs smoothly, new sites need to be registered on our system at least one week in advance of the event to facilitate testing ahead of the scheduled link.

* Monday - Thursday: 9:00-17:00 and Friday: 9:00-16:30