The Networking Research Group at the School of Computer Science USM has recorded a singular success in having developed what is vaunted as the world's first video conferencing system to use the Multipoint-to-Multipoint Internet Protocol-based Technology.
This technological breakthrough, which uses the multimedia video conferencing system, offers great potential for developing long-distance learning, as well as for facilitating communication and exchange of knowledge among researchers and academicians. The potential has already been tapped as it has made possible the establishment of long-distance academic ties between USM and the Temasik Polytechnic of Singapore.
In fact, a long-distance teaching session was actually conducted on 9th February 2002 by Dr Sureswaran Ramadass who is the Group Leader of USM's Networking Research Group. He engaged the students of the Temasik Polytechnic in the hour-long class, which took in a lecture, a presentation and also a Q & A interaction. And all this was achieved through the Multipoint-to-Multipoint Internet Protocol-based Technology pioneered by USM, which created a virtual classroom by shrinking the 700 kilometers or so distance between Penang and Singapore.
Dr Sureswaran points out that the cost-effectiveness of this multimedia video conferencing system is a big asset in these times of economic constraints. So, this would particularly benefit companies and organisations operating on a tight budget as they can make substantial savings by turning to a viable alternative to the conventional face-to-face interaction. For example, savings are possible for transport that now incurs costs that take a big slice off their budget. Besides, the system itself is affordable, versatile, easy to monitor, simple to assemble and disassemble. For the business sector their healthy business rivalries can now be complemented by this technology for fostering networking. In the meantime though, USM academicians have stolen a march on them by initiating long-distance learning collaboration through this technology and in the same stroke strengthening the relations between our two nations.
This system is being commercially marketed by a local company Mlabs Global Inc. that enjoys MSC status.
Saturday, 9 February 2002
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