Federation University is redefining hybrid learning for students across regional Victoria, fostering an inclusive and engaging learning environment for students attending both in-person and via Teams.
Federation University was facing the significant challenge of delivering a seamless, high-quality hybrid learning experience across its regional and remote campuses.
To meet this challenge, the university needed a reliable, easy-to-use, and scalable solution that could easily integrate into its classrooms with minimal user intervention.
At the heart of Federation University’s new Connected Classrooms is the Sennheiser TeamConnect Ceiling 2 (TCC 2) microphone.
Each Connected Classroom features two Microsoft Teams-certified TCC 2 microphones per room, one for the presenter and one for the audience, to achieve local voice lift and remote audio transmission. With Crestron video transmission and Q-SYS DSP systems, each room’s automated setup allows lights, screens, and audio to automatically adjust upon entry.
For Amit Suyan, Federation University’s AV Team Leader, the vision of connected classrooms wasn’t just about catching up with the times; it was about creating a sustainable, scalable AV infrastructure for a seamless hybrid learning experience.
“We were looking for a system that delivers a superior learning experience for both in-class and remote participants. The solution had to be easy to use, reliable, and offer excellent audio quality. It was essential to implement a system that required minimal interaction from academics while maintaining a professional-grade performance. Academics need to walk into the room and begin teaching with minimal setup. The system needed to function seamlessly, much like plugging in a laptop at home.”
The university’s AV strategy was built on standardization and efficiency. Prototyping was essential to the rollout, with small configuration nuances affecting performance; rigorous testing was key.
“The TCC 2 microphones are truly a ‘set and forget’ solution; they’re reliable, easy to install, and deliver phenomenal performance. User feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting on how seamless and effective the system is. By enabling remote access, we can proactively detect and resolve issues before they affect users.
“In addition, we’ve refined the process to commission a room in just 1.5 days,” Suyan says. “This rapid deployment ensures minimal disruption and allows us to scale quickly.” Key to this, he says, was assistance from the Sennheiser team from early stage design to troubleshooting during implementation.
