Qatar University selects Cisco Jabber to enrich student's learning experience

Cisco Jabber facilitates access to presence, instant messaging (IM), voice, video, voice messaging, desktop sharing, and conferencing. It allows users to see if and how other users are available, and then collaborate using their preferred method.

Located in Doha, Qatar University is the first, largest, and most prominent institution for higher education in Qatar. It regards communications and collaboration as strategic tools for learning and administrative efficiency.

With the rapid adoption of smartphones and tablets by the student community, globally, Qatar University sees the adoption of Cisco's collaborative technology solutions as key to enriching their learning experience and as well as increasing administrative efficiency.

Cisco partnered with Mannai Networks, largest Systems Integrator in Qatar, to architect, build and support the deployment.

Highlights/Key Facts:

• Qatar University has embarked on an ambitious initiative that aims to continually evolve the quality of instructional and educational services, and optimize the performance of instructors and administrators who frequently work on virtual teams with members in different locations. Students, faculty and staff are viewed as an integral part of this plan and communication with them is a priority.

• Cisco Jabber is a soft phone with HD video and desktop sharing capabilities powered by Cisco Unified Communications Manager call-control. Delivering secure, reliable communications it will enable Qatar University students to dynamically form and participate in virtual communities. It will also provide them with a collaboration tool to help them work together on any device at any time. As a result this will help to cut costs and streamline administrative and operational processes and also lower professional development costs in the future.

• Cisco Jabber not only simplifies communications it also enhances productivity. It allows users to easily access voice, video, presence, instant messaging, voice messaging, desktop sharing, and conferencing capabilities. Furthermore, users can instantly interact with IM and Presence thereby reducing delays and allowing them to view users' availability and chat with individuals or groups, within and outside the organization.

• Cisco Jabber is integrated with Microsoft Office. Users can click to initiate communications such as chat, voice or video calls, or multiparty conferences. It will also facilitate communications across campus with mobile voice, video, IM, and web conferencing enabling students and staff to use their preferred device and get the same experience as operating from their desktop.

ITS chief information officer, Trevor Moore at Qatar University said, "We chose Cisco's innovative and leading collaborative technology solution because our goal is to evolve the quality of instructional and educational services that Qatar University offers and ensure that they meet the ever-growing demands of 21st century technology. Our mission has always been to lead the way with innovative, groundbreaking technology and Cisco's solutions will help to keep us ahead of the game. In an environment where students have an increasing choice of establishments for their higher education we need to ensure the Qatar University continues to lead the way and sets the benchmark for universities in the region so that we can continue to attract the best students and faculty not only in Qatar but throughout the Middle East."

Den Sullivan, head of Architectures & Enterprise, Emerging Markets, said, "Cisco's collaborative technology solutions such as Jabber are now making a vital impact across a wide gambit of industry sectors and vertical markets and our work with Qatar University goes a long way to illustrate just how versatile and adaptable our portfolio is. Enhancing and supporting education in the Middle East is one of our Cisco goals so we are honored to be associated with this landmark higher educational deployment in Qatar. Our approach is helping Qatar University to create a learning environment vision which we are confident will be adopted by many other leading educational establishments in the region."