Georgetown University in Qatar implements Polycom's RPX™HD Immersive Telepresence System

The first educational institution in the Middle East to implement state-of-the-art video conferencing system in the Middle East

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 9 September, 2007: Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service in Qatar announced today it will implement Polycom® RealPresence™ Experience High Definition (RPX™HD), making it the first university in the Middle East to adopt immersive telepresence video conferencing as an educational tool. The deal was signed at Gitex through FVC, the authorised value-added distributor in the Middle East and North Africa for Polycom.

Georgetown University students and faculty work, study, and perform research around the globe. In 2005, the university deepened its commitment to global education by establishing a branch campus of its world-renowned School of Foreign Service in Qatar. The program provides a 4-year undergraduate degree in international politics to students in Qatar. The degree is identical to that offered to students in Washington, DC.  The program accepts about 50 students annually from around the world.  

"Georgetown prides itself on seeking to move beyond the traditional lecture-style delivery of material," said Randy Bass, Director of the Center for New Designs in Learning & Scholarship at Georgetown. "The distancing technologies of traditional formats are limited in their ability to engage bi-local students in more interactive pedagogies. The consequences, then, are not merely about comfort or affect, but the quality of the intellectual experience and consequential development."

The Polycom RPX™HD will be used to deliver undergraduate courses to and from Washington. The system allows for "realistic" interaction between students and faculty since the system makes the technology more transparent, thus reducing the "distance" that some students feel. The system allows local students to take classes from well-known professors in Washington, DC. At the same time, it allows students in Washington to learn from the world-class faculty that are located in Qatar.

"We are working closely with TechnoQ, Polycom's certified reseller in Qatar," said K. S. Parag, Regional Director, FVC. "Together, we will implement the solution and provide the on-going customer support."

"The RPX™HD was designed to give a life-like, natural experience, making it an ideal system for the educational, healthcare, government and enterprise sectors," said Alain Civel, Regional Manager - MEA, Polycom. "It revolutionizes the way we do business by having immediate presence anywhere at anytime. Institutions and organizations can productively interact in real time with colleagues or avail expert resources from across the city or around the world. This allows access to up-to-date knowledge and provides the ability to make immediate decisions, consequently saving money and time on travel." 

"By allowing us to bring in the very best professors, be they in Washington, Doha, or elsewhere, this system allows Georgetown to offer our students the very best education in the world." said Dean James Reardon-Anderson, Dean of School of Foreign Service in Qatar.

"We are proud that we have been chosen by Georgetown University," said Abdulla Alansari, Executive Director, TechnoQ. "We have extensive experience in providing AV solutions for major educational institutions. Our qualified and experienced team will be providing the best support to the Georgetown University through the entire project development."

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About Polycom RPX™HD
The Polycom RPX™HD (RealPresence Experience) 200 series is a standards-based, video and acoustically tuned environment designed to provide the ultimate collaboration experience by integrating the best video, voice, and data technology into a luxuriously-appointed, symmetrical all inclusive, freestanding, modular meeting room.

The RPX™HD systems combine an elegant environment with life-size video conferencing capabilities. Polycom EyeConnect™ techniques and technology deliver High Definition quality and no noticeable audio or video delay, so groups up to 18 participants can interact productively in real time with colleagues across the city or around the world. It delivers an interactive, immersive experience that feels just like everyone is in the same room together. Projectors and cameras are discretely hidden behind the giant screen, so participants don't notice the equipment. Because multipurpose model tables are set away from the screen, you can use the room for other meetings, as well. What's more, all Polycom RPX™HD systems are completely backward compatible with any H.323 system. So you can also employ existing equipment, maximizing previous investments. 

About the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Qatar
Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service in Qatar builds on Georgetown's tradition of educating future leaders in the international arena through an interdisciplinary liberal arts undergraduate program focused on international affairs. For more information about Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service in Qatar, visit sfs.georgetown.edu/Qatar

About FVC
Headquartered in Dubai, FVC is a leading Value Added Distributor for ICT solutions. It specialises in Rich Media Conferencing as well as Networking and Security. This includes Video conferencing, IPS technology, WAN optimization, Wireless Networks and other security solutions. It is also the authorised value-added distributor for Polycom, TippingPoint, Packeteer, Proxim, Juniper, Barracuda, Dilithium, Postini, Vaddio, VBrick and Nokia for Business. FVC works through a network of resellers throughout Middle East and North Africa. With a management office in the UK, FVC also has branches in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt, Kuwait, Cairo and Morocco.

www.fvcme.com

About Polycom
Polycom, Inc. is the worldwide leader in unified collaborative communications (UCC) that maximize the efficiency and productivity of people and organizations by integrating the broadest array of high definition video, wired and wireless voice, and content solutions to deliver the ultimate collaborative experience. Polycom's high quality, standards-based conferencing and collaboration solutions are easy to deploy and manage, as well as intuitive to use. Supported by an open architecture, they integrate seamlessly with leading telephony, workplace wireless telephony, and presence-based networks. With its market driving technologies, best-in-class products, alliance partnerships, and world-class service, Polycom is the smart choice for organizations seeking proven solutions and a competitive advantage from on-demand communications and collaboration. For additional information, call visit the Polycom web site at www.polycom.com.

All product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Polycom and the Polycom logo are registered trademarks of Polycom in the U.S. and various countries. ©2007, Polycom, Inc. All rights reserved.

About TechnoQ
Techno Q is the leading System Integrator in Qatar committed to offering integrated low current systems. It is specialized in Audiovisual, Security, Control, Fire, Lighting, IT, Broadcast and Hospitality Management Systems. It specifies, designs, installs, tests, operates and maintains the top-notch technology solutions. Founded in 1995 by Zeyad Jeidah and Abdulla Alansari, it counts now over 100 professionals, developing integrated solutions for major clients and contractors in Doha. Among the others: Qatar University, Qatar Foundation, Qatar Financial Centre, American School, Al Rayan Bank, Doha Airport.

© Press Release 2007