Teesside gets a video link

Teesside University has invested in video conferencing technology from Sony as a major part of its #11m redevelopment, Campus 2000.

Two Trinicom 5000 systems will be installed at the university's learning resource centre, a centralised library which replaces a number of different sites. The contract is worth #1.2m over three years.

Oliver Coulthard, pro-vice chancellor, said Campus 2000 would touch every aspect of university life, bringing Teesside into the digital age. He said he wanted to 'build a university for the millennium'.

The video conferencing systems will allow Teesside to connect with other academic institutions and companies, and should improve the university's distance learning capabilities. Sony claims the Trinicom 5000s are the only products on the market which allow four locations to be connected simultaneously.

Sony will also provide broadcasting equipment for the college's library and information services' TV studios, including camcorders, ES-7 Edit Stations and hardware for the studio, electronic news gathering and post production. A Trinicom machine will also be installed at the studio.

Coulthard said: 'We have worked hard with Sony over 12 months to build a strong partnership which will benefit both Teesside University students and academic staff.

'With Sony we are aiming to provide Middlesbrough with a university offering the finest leading-edge technology facilities in the country, making it a centre of learning which will attract national and international recognition.'