Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has partnered with Microsoft to foster innovation and transform the future of education with its cloud-enabled Smart Campus.
Technology plays a key role in powering the 200-hectare campus, which includes a living lab of digital experiments – from running an autonomous electric bus to testing drones for Singapore’s airspace. This forms part of the university’s 2025 vision in equipping its Smart Campus with cloud-first technology and agile infrastructure.
In line with its vision, NTU has successfully converted over 2,600 fixed phone numbers to the Microsoft Teams Phone system, an add-on for Microsoft 365 that links local landlines to Teams accounts.
NTU employees can therefore make and receive calls on their business number from all their internet-enabled devices while using the same tool they use to chat and host video meetings.
They can also seamlessly transfer their calls across multiple devices – including laptops, PCs, tablets and mobile phones – enabling them to remain productive.
By eliminating the need for existing physical phone infrastructure, NTU Singapore enjoyed cost savings in equipment, maintenance, and international call costs from cross-border research centre projects and the provision of online exams and classes for stranded students overseas.
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NTU’s IT managers also leveraged Microsoft Teams and other integrated tools within the platform to create an asset tracking system for IT asset reviews and pre-emptive checks to be conducted more efficiently.
The university can now allocate resources toward higher-value tasks and innovation, accelerating the institution’s broader mission to be future-ready, agile and resilient.
Besides that, the university plans to roll out its new cloud-based student management system built on Microsoft Azure, amongst other ongoing initiatives to leverage technologies like chatbots and AI.
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“Innovation has always been core to the university’s DNA. This digital transformation in partnership with Microsoft marks a significant milestone in our commitment to embrace a culture of innovation, promote maximum efficiency, foster sustainability and improve the lives of our students and employees through empowered learning and living experiences,” says Tan Aik Na, senior vice president for Administration at NTU Singapore.
Lum Seow Khun, director for Public Sector Group at Microsoft Singapore, comments: “Universities like NTU Singapore are stepping in the right direction as they accelerate their digital learning ambitions, embrace change, transform our education system and ensure the readiness of our future workforce.”
Photo: Microsoft
