Working with Kirklees Council to reduce digital inequality with eduroam

A collaboration between the University and Kirklees Council means the eduroam network is now being extended to all Kirklees council locations, including Libraries and Kirklees Active Leisure Centres

THE pandemic has highlighted how differences in access to internet connectivity affects students’ chances. Now, the University of Huddersfield has been working closely with Kirklees Council to ensure Wi-Fi is accessible from all Kirklees Council buildings by adding the University’s eduroam Wi-Fi network to their list, helping the council to tackle digital inequality whilst creating a long-term positive impact for the whole region. 

The University has been working alongside Kirklees Council to ensure the smooth roll out of the eduroam Wi-Fi network from all Kirklees Council buildings. Eduroam (education roaming) is the secure, world-wide roaming access service developed for the international research and education community and has been available for several years to all University staff, students, researchers and affiliates.  The service allows connectivity to a Wi-Fi connection at Higher Education and Further Education institutions across the UK and abroad including NHS hospital locations.

Digital inclusivity for all 

Krish Pilicudale is the University’s Director of Digital Information and explains how rolling out the eduroam network will help ensure digital inclusivity for students.

“This project is of immense benefit to our students,” said Krish Pilicudale. “We wanted to help our students to have greater access to broadband and reduce digital disadvantage. By assisting the council to provide access to the Wi-Fi network through all council owned buildings, the University is providing just that,” he said.

Terence Hudson, head of technology, at Kirklees Council explains how rolling out eduroam with the council’s current Wi-Fi network govroam, is helping the council to increase digital inclusivity and is creating a long-term positive impact for the whole region. 

“Rolling out eduroam means that a large number of people who want to be able to access the internet, and access services closer to them wherever they are, will now be able to do so,” he said. 

“If a student can drop into their local library, for example, and get great connectivity, that's fantastic. The impact on students who may not be able to afford the very best internet services will be tremendous. 

“Fundamentally, it's the right thing to do. It’s about the future of the region. We want to make sure we give the people who live and study in our region the very best opportunities that they can access. That, in turn, will have a long-standing positive impact on our region.” 

The eduroam network will not only be constricted to buildings as the council currently has a park under construction between the University and Huddersfield town centre and by ensuring the roll out of eduroam there too, students who want to go and sit there in the summer can also have access to great connectivity.