IT and education: Deakin University to train medical students online

Deakin University has received funding to implement video conferencing facilities to teach students in rural areas. The federal government funding over $300,000 will allow students to fill mental health workforce shortages. Students of the Deakin University Faculty of Medicine usually undertake their mental health clinical placements in regional sites clinics, though lecturers are working in the central campus in Geelong, major city of Australia.

Now students will get an access to recorded multi-media lectures, live interactive tutorials and conventional video conferencing The funding will provide video conferencing equipment and infrastructure, and is scheduled for completion in four months, whereas training itself will kick off at the beginning of the academic year. The university is using Tandberg videoconferencing systems.