In 1992, the National University of Singapore initiated the use of video teleconferencing technology to enhance its teaching, learning and research environment as well as to further its industrial collaboration activities. Video teleconferencing is real-time digital communication utilising multimedia (video, audio, graphics and document transfer, white boarding and text-based chat); it costs about $400 an hour. With the system, the NUS community is able to access tertiary institutions and other organisations abroad.

The present operating system provides two remote control video cameras, one document camera for transmitting documents (charts, statistical tables, transparencies, etc.), one or two projection screens and ba-sic studio lighting and audio system amplification.

The facilities and network are managed and operated jointly by the Computer Centre and CDTL, which serves as the hub with a Picture Tel Coder-Decoder system installed to provide linkage to the following five sites on campus.

• Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Research Centre Auditorium (100 person capacity)
• Faculty of Science Auditorium, Lecture Theatre 31 (100 person capacity)
• Computer Centre Auditorium (80 person capacity) Video Teleconferencing: The Global Classroo
• Faculty of Business Administration, Conference Room A (50 person capacity)
• Centre for Development of Teaching and Learning Studio (20 person capacity)

During a video conference transmission, a call is made from or received at the CDTL hub, like one would make a normal telephone call. The analog image and sound from the site is sent to the computer (CODEC) at CDTL and converted into digital information which is then transferred to Singapore Telecom where it is bounced via satellite to the foreign site. There, the service provider sends the information to the other CODEC which reconverts the digital information so that the audience can see and hear the CDTL site with their audiovisual equipment. The process is reversed for two-way interaction.

To date, there have been over 65 major video conferences with top-level academic, research and industrial institutions as well as individuals worldwide. Usage of the system falls under three categories.

Specialist Lectures

Eminent specialists, including those on the Lee Kuan Yew Distinguished Visitors Programme, have given lectures using video conferencing technology to specific groups to enhance research interests and knowledge. NUS specialists have also given such lectures to foreign institutions but there is room to grow.

Course Work

Video teleconferencing can be used periodically for graduate programmes like the Cornell-NUS Executive Programme, the Harvard-NUS Masters in Public Policy Programme and the Stanford-NUS Business Programme. This year, the English Language and Literature Department organised the first series of course lectures via video telecon-ferencing with the University of Manchester. More projects from other departments are now in the pipeline.

Meetings

On a periodic basis, researchers can use video conferences to collaborate on or monitor the progress of joint projects. There has also been limited use of video conferencing for administrative consultation and planning.

With technological advances and improvements in technical support. video teleconferencing will continue to grow in importance as an tool for education.