Enhancement of IT facilities for students

Campus-wide Wi-Fi

Responding to the growing use of mobile devices by students (smart phones and tablets), a major expansion of the University’s WiFi network has been completed including Penbryn, Cwrt Mawr, Trefloyne, Rosser and Brynderw halls of residence. This will mean that all University-owned halls and academic buildings now have Wi-Fi coverage. All student halls are also fitted with wired network connections.

New student email service

In an exciting new development, student email and groupware services are now provided through Microsoft Office 365 from July 2013. This offers a range of services above and beyond traditional email to all Aberystwyth students:

  • Email including 25 GB of storage space per user, business-class email, and shared calendars

  • File storage and sharing. SkyDrive Pro gives users 7 GB of personal storage. Easily share documents with others through Office or SharePoint

  • Office web apps allowing students to create and edit Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and OneNote Office files via a web browser

  • Shared document workspaces using SharePoint

  • Web conferencing. Work on group projects and conduct meetings over the web with HD video conferencing, screen sharing, and instant messaging

All this is available from phones and tablets as well as laptops and desktop computers. The University has been investing heavily in providing the most up-to-date IT facilities for students.

All student computer rooms equipped with new PCs

All student computer rooms are equipped with brand new PCs ready for the start of the academic year. As part of a major investment in enhancing IT facilities for students, there are 769 new computers across computer rooms on Penglais, Llanbadarn centre, in town and to learning spaces in halls.

These computers feature the latest Core i3 64-bit processors, 22-inch wide screen monitors, running Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Office, and a suite of over 200 of the latest applications. Many of these computers are in 24-hour rooms including the learning suites in student halls of residences.

Printing

The University is expanding its recently installed “follow-me print solution”. This allows students to collect their print outs from across campus in academic buildings, libraries and halls of residence. The service also provides photocopying and free scanning. Using the latest energy saving multi-function devices, duplex output and recycled paper the service is also reducing the environmental impact of printing.

Furthermore, Aberystwyth is offering one of the cheapest University student print services in the UK:

  • A4 mono reduced from 5p to 3p

  • A4 colour reduced from 30p to 6p

  • A3 mono reduced from 10p to 4p

  • A3 colour reduced from 60p to 7p

au26813 University invests £640,000 on latest teaching equipment

The University recently refurbished and redecorated 13 teaching rooms in the Hugh Owen Building.

  • An improved teaching technology system which is stored in a height adjustable lectern and will consist of a much faster teaching PC, an interactive PC monitor, Blu-Ray player, document camera, web camera, microphones, ceiling mounted loud speakers and a control unit

  • Energy efficient Lutron lighting with four pre-set scenes and manual override to enable staff and students to adjust the lighting to their needs

  • Phased array hearing induction loops which comply with the Equality Act (formerly DDA)

  • Different types of furniture enabling a variety of teaching styles

  • New carpets, ceilings and window coverings for blackout

  • New writing and projection surfaces will be fitted to allow an individual to write on the surface which will double-up also as a projection screen

  • Wireless coverage with adequate wireless access points.

Watch Nigel Thomas, the University’s Learning Spaces Design and Development Manager explain the improvements