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Huawei and HKU's Smart Campus Initiative

On December 12, 2024, Huawei and the University of Hong Kong (HKU) marked a significant milestone in their partnership by launching "The University of Hong Kong Huawei Global Smart Campus Network Showcase." This event symbolizes a pivotal development in establishing sophisticated campus network connectivity and infrastructure aimed at facilitating a digital and intelligent transformation at HKU. The initiative not only seeks to elevate HKU's educational offerings but also aspires to set a benchmark for other educational institutions globally.

Among the attendees were notable figures such as Flora Ng, HKU's Chief Information Officer and University Librarian, who emphasized the institution’s commitment to integrating education technology. As she noted in her opening remarks, HKU is focused on creating optimal teaching and research environments for international academic talent. This year, the university celebrated the 112th anniversary of its libraries, recognized as vital platforms for academic research worldwide. The rise in diverse educational requirements and the swift digital transformation underline the urgency in establishing a smart campus to provide exemplary educational services.

In partnership with Huawei, HKU has developed a robust 10 Gbps campus network reinforced with Wi-Fi 7 technology, implemented across various facilities including libraries, administrative buildings, classrooms, and the HKU Station. This infrastructure is designed to ensure reliable and seamless connectivity for educational applications in smart classrooms, libraries, study rooms, and auditoriums, laying a foundational stone for HKU's intelligent campus concept.

Looking ahead, both entities are dedicated to harnessing intelligent networks addressing scenarios like network security, operations and maintenance, and Smart Campus Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The partnership aims to foster a secure, efficient, and intelligent educational environment that accelerates the digital transformation within the education sector.

Jason He, Huawei's President of Global Enterprise Data Communication Marketing Solution Sales, highlighted Huawei's expertise and role in aiding HKU's innovation journey in research and operations. The collaboration promises enhancements across three crucial user experiences: wireless connectivity upgrades, application readiness, and operations management, tailored to meet specific campus needs while ensuring data security.

As education rapidly integrates with digital technology, the need for advanced campus networks becomes paramount. Adaptive solutions like Huawei’s 10 Gbps Campus Network cater to increasingly demanding environments for online examinations, live courses, and lectures, by providing necessary bandwidth for high-definition interactive 4K and 8K classroom experiences. In addition, the initiative involves Application Assurance, facilitating automatic identification and prioritization of essential teaching applications, ensuring optimal functioning during critical periods.

Huawei's latest Wi-Fi 7 access points, deployed in significant locations like the historically notable Loke Yew Hall, libraries, and study areas, guarantee uninterrupted connectivity during crucial activities, such as online exams and peak festive periods. This collaborative effort signifies a major step towards more intelligent educational frameworks and campus connectivity, with Huawei reaffirming its commitment to support HKU in reinforcing its leading position in global higher education.

Looking to the future, this partnership is poised not only to enhance HKU's educational landscape but also to serve as a model for other universities in Hong Kong and beyond embarking on their digital education journeys. This endeavor epitomizes how technological innovation can effectively address modern educational demands and advance campus connectivity into the future.