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Sharp Display Solutions client installation – Higher Education

Manchester Metropolitan University.

Delivering a Future-Ready Learning Environment

Manchester Metropolitan University has developed a longterm AV strategy that is transforming teaching and learning across its campus. At the heart of this transformation is the Dalton Building of Science & Engineering, an awardwinning facility that demonstrates how clear strategic planning, strong partnerships and reliable technology can create future-ready learning environments.

The Challenge.

Like many universities, Man Met’s AV estate had evolved over many years. Different teaching spaces featured different technologies and user experiences, increasing complexity for academic staff and placing growing demands on support teams.

The University recognised the need for a long-term strategy that would simplify technology, improve reliability and create a consistent experience across every learning environment. It responded with a structured AV framework built around six guiding principles: Simplicity, Reliability, Flexibility, Scalability, Strategic Alignment and Smart Procurement. Every investment would contribute to this framework, ensuring technology decisions support both today’s requirements and future growth.

The Solution.

Working alongside Roche AV, the University has implemented a campus-wide AV strategy designed to support teaching, collaboration and research across its expanding estate.

As part of this strategy, the University selected Sharp as its display technology partner. Since 2020, Sharp/NEC (now Sharp) has been the University’s sole LED supplier, while MultiSync® M and ME Series large format displays have become the standard display platform across teaching spaces throughout the campus. By aligning with the University’s principles of simplicity, reliability and scalability, Sharp helps ensure every learning environment, from lecture theatres to specialist laboratories, delivers a familiar, dependable user experience.

Flagship Project: The Dalton Building.

Opened in 2024, the £45 million Dalton Building brings together teaching, research and collaboration within a modern, flexible environment for the University’s Faculty of Science & Engineering. In 2026 it was recognised as Building of the Year at the RIBA North West Awards, reflecting its innovative approach to higher education design.

The Dalton Building is the flagship implementation of Manchester Metropolitan University’s AV strategy. More than 100 MultiSync® large format and interactive displays have been deployed throughout lecture theatres, seminar rooms, collaborative learning spaces and specialist laboratories, complemented by a striking 4.8m wide LED wall in the main reception.

Together they deliver the consistent visual experience that underpins the University’s campus-wide approach while providing a reliable platform that’s straightforward to manage and support.

The same principles extend across the wider campus, from the Science & Engineering Superlab and the award-winning Bloomberg Trading Suite to everyday teaching rooms. Sharp display technology provides a familiar user experience while allowing each environment to meet its own specialist teaching requirements. Standardising on a common technology platform has created an AV ecosystem that is intuitive for users, efficient to support and flexible enough to accommodate changing developments.

The Result.

Man Met’s strategy has delivered measurable improvements across its AV estate, with AV support tickets reduced by almost two-thirds, alongside lower support costs and fewer escalations. Academic staff have greater confidence in using the technology, while a more uniform experience across hundreds of teaching spaces makes it easier for users to move between environments.

“Our ambition was to create a consistent AV experience that supports teaching and learning across the University while simplifying management and support,” says John Valentine, IT Campus Manager, Manchester Metropolitan University.

Standardising on Sharp display technology has helped us achieve that goal, giving staff confidence that every teaching space will perform reliably and consistently while providing a platform that can evolve alongside our future requirements.
John Valentine
IT Campus Manager

Together, Man Met, Roche AV and Sharp have established a repeatable model for delivering reliable, scalable learning environments across the University. The Dalton Building is the flagship example of this strategy, demonstrating how a clear technology framework and trusted partnerships can support outstanding learning environments while providing a platform for continued development.

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