DCU delivers live lecture to the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai

Dr. Stephen Daniels recently delivered a live online lecture to circa 20 IIT Madras Students from the School of Electronic Engineering.

The 50 minute lecture was delivered to students taking the Microelectromechanical Systems (EE 5550 MEMS) module and the lecture was entitled "Plasma Surface Engineering for Surface Micromachining".

The lecture was delivered via videoconferencing technology at both institutions which allowed for high definition video transmission of live and computer images.

Dr. Daniels used powerpoint slides as well as the traditional whiteboard to deliver the lecture which was received with enthusiasm at the other end.

Embracing the concept of the 'global classroom', this lecture is expected to be the first of a series that will take place between the two institutions, initially in the area of nano and micro fabrication technology.

Dr. Daniels said, "The lecture demonstrated thefeasibility of this concept and I believe it has tremendous potential for both institutions. It was really exciting to be delivering a live lecture to the other side of the world and to such high quality students."

Both institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding in September 2010, and delegations from DCU visited IITM in December 2010 and 2011. As a result of these visits a number of collaborative research projects are already on their way, some of them co-funded between DCU and the Department of Science and Technology in India.