"Ano itong SMART MSU? Ano itong SMART University, SMART classroom?"
These were the queries made by Chancellor Usman D. Aragasi regarding 'SMART MSU' in which it is no longer a matter of speculation as it is now taking a concrete form when the administration finalizes a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with various technological partners, April 18.
Unveiled during the 50th Foundation Anniversary, this project will roll out 117 access points, 70 closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs), a massive e-library rehaul, the launching of a learning management system (LMS), and Student Academic Information System (SAIS), and the construction of various e-classrooms.
As stipulated in the contract of agreement, Norman Ralph Isla, Campus Secretary, disclosed the total budget of the project at Php 998,988,268.50.
Chancellor Usman D. Aragasi noted in his message that this is "one of the biggest projects of the university (pinakamalaking project ng university)" this academic year.
The said project is divided into two phases, where phase one is already in the pipeline and is planned to be mechanized following the signing of the MOA.
ACCESS POINTS INSTALLATION
One part of the massive project is the installation of access points and CCTVs, which will be installed across the university, including the buildings in CETD.
An access point is a device that creates a wireless local area network, or WLAN, usually in an office or large building. An access point connects to a wired router, switch, or hub via an Ethernet cable, and projects a WiFi signal to a designated area.
Their tech partners, Infobytes Solutions Inc., and Remax International, Inc., revealed their plans to construct 117 access points and 70 CCTVs.
Comm. Raymund E. Liboro, representing Infobytes Solutions Inc., highlighted that their primary objective in phase 1 of the project is to retrofit the network infrastructure and cabling across the university.
This retrofitting aims to "enhance the Ethernet" within the campus and "improve teaching and learning" by providing a "high and reliable" internet bandwidth for its users.
"This is not just a supply and delivery project. We are actually looking forward not only to the completion but also to what we are going to do after the project concludes," Liboro emphasized in his message.
Phase 2 of the partnership was not disclosed but will focus on the maintenance and sustainability of the installed access points and CCTVs.
The access points will be connected via a centralized connection hub, powered by the Aruba Wireless network.
E-CLASSROOMS SETUP
The project will also install model e-classrooms across the university, empowered by Dell Inc. and Huawei Technologies Co.
It was highlighted that the model e-classrooms will use Huawei IdeaHub S2 for its smart classrooms, equipped with a smart digital board, television, and conference tracking systems.
Users will utilize Huawei's application called the "IdeaShare" application, which provides a user-friendly experience with its easy, one-click processes and automatic updates.
The hardwares which will be used for the access points and e-classrooms will be provided by Dell Inc.
DELIBERATIONS ON CONSTRUCTION
Multiple e-classrooms are planned to be built by the administration, but the number of rooms and their locations were not disclosed.
From the presentation of planned e-classrooms, it was highlighted that the College of Engineering building and College of Agriculture Building will have several model e-classrooms.
However, Mr. Jose T. Tillo II, ICTO Director, mentioned that the model e-classrooms of the College of Engineering will require more ‘high-tech equipment’, prompting a discussion on placing the model classrooms in the College of Natural Science and Mathematics.
The discussion on the placement of e-classrooms and finalization of plans on the cabling retrofitting was intervened by Aragasi, pointing out that this e-classroom deliberation should occur in a separate meeting.
"You still need to sit down and [deliberate] it. It should be finalized. Remember, this will be scrutinized by the Commission on Audit," Aragasi said.
The final plans for the placement of e-classrooms are still yet to be disclosed by the administration.
LMS AND SAIS
The administration will also overhaul its existing digital platforms for its learners and faculty as they will implement two new digital platforms: the Learning Management System (LMS) and the Student Academic Information System (SAIS).
This new digital platform is said to emulate the existing platforms of the sister campus of the university, MSU-Marawi Campus.
LMS and SAIS will go live for public use on November 11-25, 2024.
After its public launch, its operators will remain vigilant for bug fixes whenever learners and faculties encounter any problems on the platform.
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