Elly Yates-Roberts |
The University of Western Australia (UWA) has deployed a Microsoft-based remote learning solution to facilitate online lectures and teaching while students and staff carry out social distancing.
The tool, which is built using Azure Labs and leverages Office 365 and Microsoft Teams, was originally intended for use by international students who were unable to return to the university due to travel restrictions. It has since been extended to over 18,000 students and 3,000 staff who are working remotely, allowing the university to move most lectures, tutorials and practical classes online.
Microsoft partnered with UWA’s IT team and leadership to accelerate the platform’s deployment and gain insights about its users to improve its performance.
“With the help Microsoft has provided us, we have been able to implement a solution that benefits our staff and students with an increased level of speed and degree of innovation,” said Warwick Calkin, chief information officer at UWA.
The solution also considers China’s internet policies to ensure the university’s Chinese students can continue learning without interruption. Microsoft tested the platform in China to confirm the quality of the experience.
“Azure Labs provides the scalable and reliable platform that has allowed UWA to meet the recent need for remote learning,” said Tiffany Wright, education director at Microsoft Australia. “Access to Microsoft Teams also allows UWA to support its staff who are working from home without interruption or complication, providing a rich, resilient communications and collaboration environment.”