DCU's Hi Tech work'n'play cafe opens - cafe society goes digital
- Friday, 17 November 2006

A revolutionary new super digital café with the latest computers, web cams, free international web phones and other hi tech equipment has opened at DCU.

The work ‘n play concept will also include a ‘chill’ area equipped with 12 Xbox units which can be also be used to go online with webcams and headsets, as well as four Skype internet protocol phone booths where free international calls can be made.

The main area is designed around three figure of eight collaboration tables of varying heights, equipped with 12 Imacs with built in webcams and headsets. Beanbag seating is scattered around the units. There will also be two laptop bars, and the whole area will be furnished with sofas.

Two 60” plasma TV wall screens are provided for international free to air television services including RTE, TG4 and TV3, as well as Sky TV.

The ‘Mezzanine’ café above the main student restaurant will have about 60 work and play stations, where students can pursue their studies or chill out with simple refreshments - tea, coffee and snacks. This concept – the first of its kind in a university - is designed to provide students with a new forum for working and playing. Students can write or research coursework, take some downtime on an Xbox game, video conference with friends, join chat rooms or phone home for free.

The entire area is wireless enabled so that students can bring their own laptops for work or pleasure. DCU President, Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski said “ This is a new concept for our café society! This wonderful new digital café will provide a window on the world for our students who can catch up on work, or they can catch up with friends and family in a totally twentyfirst century environment. In DCU we are trying to anticipate the kind of services that students will want, for their studies and for fun. The “Mezz” will provide a combination of both.”

The President of the Students’ Union, Charlene Connolly, said: This iniative is yet another aspect of the fantastic facilities provided for students in DCU that really sets us apart from other Irish universities. The provision of such a facility will increase and foster a healthy student atmosphere for both learning, information and relaxation. The Mezzanine Cafe will undoubtedly be a place of high quality entertainment and learning for our students, and probably the most appealing characteristic is that it is free of charge!

ENDS