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Case Study: AREC at the forefront of a successful modernisation of UBB Cluj-Napoca in Romania
UBB Reșița auditorium
Dear ADENA Partners, our case study this month describes the recent modernisation of the educational facilities at Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca in Reșița, Romania. Thanks to the work of our partner, GBC Exim, AREC 2-channel Media Stations are used alongside videoconferencing systems, cameras, laptops, all-in-one desktop systems, and various other devices to provide the best possible hybrid learning experience for all students. Learn more about the university, the renovation project, its importance, and the role of AREC in the story below:
The university
Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca is the largest and oldest higher education institution in Romania, consistently occupying first place in the country’s university metaranking, according to the Romanian Ministry of Education. The university was founded in 1581 as a successor to the Jesuit College of Cluj and has a turbulent history. Its name and location changed multiple times over the years, and at one point, it even split into two universities. In 1959, the two halves of the university reunited under its current name. Since then, the university has continued to grow, opening campuses in 11 towns across Romania.
The modernisation project
Modernised auditorium in Reșița campus
One of these campuses, in Reșița, was selected for modernisation under a project co-funded by the European Union, the Romanian Government, and the Regional Development Agency of the West Region Romania (ADR Vest). The project, titled “Improving the University Educational Infrastructure at the UBB Resita University Centre”, took two years to complete, officially concluding in September – just in time for the start of the 2026–2027 academic year. As part of the project, six laboratories, two common spaces, and an auditorium were equipped with hybrid learning solutions. Additional infrastructure was also created to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities. Our partner, GBC Exim, used AREC Media Stations as the core component of the installed hybrid learning solution.
AREC Media Station – the key component
AREC LS-210 and LS-210F
AREC Media Stations are multifunctional lecture capture devices designed to capture, mix, record, and stream audio and video content, producing ready-to-use videos. They can be used with all types of devices commonly found in classrooms and lecture halls, including computers, videoconferencing systems, document cameras, PTZ cameras, interactive displays, and more. Media Stations combine these sources into customisable video layouts featuring user-uploaded backgrounds and overlays, allowing users to personalise and adjust the video layout on the go.
AREC’s core strength – simplicity of control
The defining feature of AREC Media Stations is how easy they are to control. Among their many control options, they support API-based integration with control systems, provide a convenient web interface with a preview and a comprehensive set of controls, and offer a graphical user interface that can be easily used even by non-technical users. Media Stations are particularly easy to use in educational environments, where they can be configured to start and stop recording and streaming automatically on a schedule, allowing lecturers to focus fully on their classes.
AREC’s role in the solution
AREC Media Station working with other devices
In the university, AREC 2 channel Media Stations serve as the backbone of the entire solution. All other parts of the solution, including discussion and interpretation systems, projectors, displays and PTZ cameras are connected to Media Stations for recording, streaming, local output and control purposes. Coupled with user-friendly AREC controls, this centralisation helps operators easily use every part of the system. The station streams lectures and events for global audiences and records for archiving and VOD purposes, allowing students to review materials long after the lessons end. As a result, this solution created a digital-ready environment where every element is working together seamlessly.
The university is proud of its new hybrid learning solution and demonstrated it to prospective students before the start of the new academic year last month. Are you working on the modernisation of learning spaces? Contact us at www.a-dena.com to discuss how AREC solutions can become the core component of your projects.
