Higher education institutions had to rethink their education model and adapt to hybrid learning during the past year as COVID-19 pandemic hit the world. Pompeu Fabra University (UPF- Universidad Pompeu Fabra), ranked the best university in Spain, selected Shure’s Microflex Ecosystem products as the best solution across campus to meet the needs and requirements of a successful hybrid learning concept.
The UPF, established in 1990 and awarded as the 10th Best Young University in the world in the Times Higher Education World University listings, required a complete overhaul of the old AV system, which had only held physical classes. The adoption of hybrid learning across the Pompeu Fabra campus now means that all lessons are catered for by a cutting-edge AV system that exceeds audio requirements and provides the best possible learning experience for academics and students alike.
For the ambitious project, 38 rooms across campus were redesigned to adopt the new learning model. Audio is now captured via a selection of Microflex Advance MXA910 Ceiling Array Microphone and MXA710 linear array microphone including proprietary IntelliMix DSP and Autofocus technology, providing a clear and clean sound for faculty and students across physical and virtual learning environments. The setup also includes Microflex MXN5W-C Networked Ceiling Loudspeakers offering high quality sound reproduction, while the entire system is managed by the installation of IntelliMix® P300 in each of the rooms.
The Spanish AV specialists Ditec Comunicaciones, with the support of the official Shure distributor EarPro, selected the Microflex Ecosystem solution as it was the best option for the new hybrid learning setup. “The pandemic was a challenge with the implementation of the project since it forced us to minimise contact and meetings with the staff of the university as much as possible,” explained Kiko Margalef, Audio Product Manager at EarPro.
“However, being able to count on the Shure Designer software and its assistant allowed Ditec engineers to configure the entire system remotely, which meant we were able to guarantee the quality and performance required in each space, as we were able to verify it remotely” added.
As of now, the staff and students of the Pompeu Fabra University (UPF – Universidad Pompeu Fabra) can rely on an AV system that will allow them to teach and learn virtually and physically, while remaining the best university in Spain.
