Sharjah, UAE – As the Middle East’s higher learning sector becomes increasingly competitive, the University of Sharjah has opted to reduce its communications overheads through the deployment of an Avaya-based IP telephony network and phones for its more than 3200 telephone users (faculty, staff and students), overseen by Avaya business partner EMW. The University also plans to enhance relations with existing and potential students and their families through a contact center, also powered by Avaya technology, which will facilitate enquiries about curriculum, degrees, and other key information about Sharjah’s leading educational institution.
IP telephony is a software-based technology that uses voice through the Internet protocol (VoIP) to transmit voice and data through a computer network. This innovative technology includes features such as: call forwarding, teleconferencing and voice messaging, among other applications, enhancing telecommunications networks capacity and cutting down costs.
“One of the primary reasons that the University of Sharjah is opting for IP telephony is the mobility that it delivers” commented Dr. Mostepha Belmihoub, IT Director at the University. “The advanced connectivity and mobility services offered, such as Avaya software phones installed on laptops, have the functionality of an office phone wherever they are in the University wired and wireless network. Also, the existing system has been upgraded so that voice and fax messaging can be accessible through email. IP telephony delivers on that promise of mobility while making our communications network more secure and less costly and easier to operate.”
The Avaya IP telephony is being rolled out across the University of Sharjah’s existing thirteen colleges offering 62 undergraduate and graduate degrees in various fields including the most recently-established schools of medicine, pharmacy and dentistry.
The University of Sharjah’s new contact center will also enable the higher learning institute to more intelligently manage the hundreds of calls it receives every day from existing and potential students and their families. Agents will be equipped with the latest information about the University degrees and programs, and can proactively meet customer demands through telephone and email communication.
“The UAE’s education sector is witnessing explosive growth, not only in the number of students seeking undergraduate degrees, but also in professionals working part-time toward postgraduate studies,” commented Nidal Abou Ltaif, managing director, Avaya Middle East & North Africa. “The University of Sharjah, which has already embraced initiative like e-learning, is taking advantage of the mobility and cost-saving benefits of IP telephony and a customer contact center to solidify its growth into its next ten years of operation.”
Avaya silver-certified partner EMW has implemented the IP telephony and contact center solutions at the University of Sharjah campus. A leading provider of Avaya solutions, EMW also counts prominent organizations such as Showtime and Paris Gallery as customers it serves on behalf of Avaya.
About Avaya
Avaya Inc. designs, builds and manages communications networks for more than 1 million businesses worldwide, including over 90 percent of the FORTUNE 500®. Focused on businesses large to small, Avaya is a world leader in secure and reliable Internet Protocol (IP) telephony systems and communications software applications and services. Driving the convergence of voice and data communications with business applications - and distinguished by comprehensive worldwide services - Avaya helps customers leverage existing and new networks to achieve superior business results. For more information visit the Avaya website: www.avaya.com.
About EMW
EMW were founded in 1995 by engineers and managers who formerly held senior positions in well known telecommunications and information technology companies. EMW’s growth is now seen in operating units across four continents: North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. We are proud to serve a wide spectrum of distinguished clients throughout the Middle East. Our watchwords are competency, innovation, integrity, and—above all—respect and care for the customer. We are a company with local presence but global reach.
For more information visit the EMW website: www.emw.com. [email protected]
