NTU Singapore partners with Microsoft to build a cloud-enabled Smart Campus
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has partnered with Microsoft to support its
2025 vision of equipping its Smart Campus with cloud-first technology and agile infrastructure. One of the efforts includes converting over
2,600 fixed phone numbers to the Microsoft
Teams Phone system, an add-on for Microsoft 365 that links local landlines to Teams accounts.
NTU employees can now make and receive calls on their business number from all their Internet-enabled devices while using the same tool they use to chat and host video meetings. They can also seamlessly transfer their calls across multiple devices — including laptops, PCs, tablets and mobile phones — enabling them to remain productive.
By eliminating the need for existing physical phone infrastructure, NTU Singapore enjoyed cost savings in equipment, maintenance and international call costs from cross-border research centre projects and the provision of online exams and classes for stranded students overseas.
NTU’s IT managers also leveraged Microsoft Teams and other integrated tools within the platform to create an asset tracking system for IT asset reviews and pre-emptive checks to be conducted more efficiently. This allows the university to allocate resources toward higher-value tasks and innovation, accelerating the institution’s broader mission to be future-ready, agile and resilient.
Besides that, the university plans to roll out its new cloud-based student management system built on Microsoft Azure, amongst other ongoing initiatives to leverage technologies like chatbots and AI.
“Innovation has always been core to the university’s DNA. This digital transformation in partnership with Microsoft marks a significant milestone in our commitment to embrace a culture of innovation, promote maximum efficiency, foster sustainability and improve the lives of our students and employees through empowered learning and living experiences,” says NTU’s senior vice president for administration Tan Aik Na.