AUK Improves Campus Technology, Saves Energy

Throughout 2012, the American University of Kuwait has significantly expanded its support for academic and student services with several IT and technology infrastructure projects. The University has adopted a video collaboration and meetings platform that facilitates a visual connection between professors and staff who are globally dispersed.

Advances in learning support were achieved by optimizing projector, video, and internet connectivity into all classrooms so that more than 100 faculty members on AUK's campus can connect with approximately 2200 students to share resources to make the most of the learning experience.

Using the same space, AUK increased the computer count from 108 to 156 in four computer labs, a 44% optimization. AUK's annual energy cost for the 108 computers was 1,660,954 kW a year. The new 156 computers use 204,984 kW a year. AUK's going green resulted in a 1,455,970 kW decrease (87%) in energy costs.

The University has successfully deployed "mobile applications" through the Ellucian Mobile Connection framework providing smart phone and mobile devices access to useful student services. The performance reporting and analytics platform has been upgraded to the current versions in support of a push to open operational reporting to a wider range of end-users and a critical push to enhance the value of institutional research and planning.

In addition to this outstanding year of activities the IT department initiated a knowledge and cultural exchange via IT internship for a student from Dartmouth, AUK's international partner institution. AUK hopes to continue improving on its integration of technology into our campus and our efforts to save energy.

Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 7th January 2013