Conference Interpreting students at the London Metropolitan University are enjoying a new interpreting suite thanks to the expertise of buk Solutions, Reflex and the University’s Information and Technology Services (ITS) team.
The University, which runs a portfolio of interpreting courses (MA Conference Interpreting/MA Interpreting and short courses), named the Suite after Michalina Ageros, in honour of the influential London Met interpreting lecturer.
The University invited her to officially open the Suite, along with its Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Donna Whitehead, at its new Holloway site. It used to operate out of Moorgate.
Plans for the new suite were 18 months in the making and buk Solutions, Reflex and London Met’s ITS team worked throughout the summer to make the project a reality.
They worked closely with Course Leader Associate Professor Danielle D’Hayer. “I was quite specific about what I wanted but it was the collaborative approach between our in-house team, buk Solutions and Reflex that turned this project into a reality,” said D’Hayer.
“I am proud of what we have achieved. It was an ambitious project. Technology is an ally. It supports the work interpreters do. This is why it needs to be fully integrated to interpreting education.
The Interpreting Suite is digital and allows live streaming. Associate Professor D’Hayer added: “The quality of the sound provided by Brahler system and the HD quality of the cameras offer the perfect opportunity to train interpreters in a professional setting.”
The technology installed by buk Solutions includes the Brahler DCen 32 Channel Digital Interpretation System with fully integrated multi-camera tracking and web streaming.
Paul Ward, international sales and marketing manager at buk Solutions, said: “As specialists in installing interpretation suites in universities, we have been fortunate to have enjoyed a long relationship working with London Met, so it was especially pleasing to be invited back to work with Associate Professor D’Hayer.”
Yag Depala, sales director at Reflex, commented: “It was important that we engaged with a partner that understood the requirements of the University and complimented our central AV design. buk Solutions with the Brahler DCen 32 met these to the full and the results are there to be seen.”
Oliver Holmes, director of information and technology services at London Met, said: “We have created a conference interpreting suite that meets the highest industry standards and provides our students with an excellent learning and teaching facility.
“London Met’s selection of innovative equipment, coupled with buk Solutions’ conference technology expertise was skilfully integrated by Reflex to meet the demands of our sector-leading educators and practitioners.”
