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After numerous search and research in finding an optimal solution, a portable computer lab using virtualisation is proposed. There is an urgent need to find a new long-term working solution for this problem. The challenge in providing a long-term solution heavily relies on the individual academic staffs who deliver such courses. A dedicated computer lab is no longer a viable option to provide a practical solution with three-year University leased computers.
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The shared common computer labs are tightly controlled by IT services and could not be used to deliver some specialised course such as Microsoft Active Directory Configuration and Management. Special services required for Computer Science and Information Technology courses are quite often not part of IT service agreements.
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IT services in a university become a solo department to provide common IT support for the entire university community such as staff, students and visitors. Centralization of services is a global trend in universities worldwide.
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