Staffordshire is the first UK university to become a KAIROS Academy Partner, offering students a state-of-the-art eSports degree that equips them with essential industry skills.
Bracknell, UK. 15th April 2025 – Panasonic Connect Europe has today appointed University of Staffordshire as a KAIROS Academy Partner, the first UK university to achieve this status. Alongside long-term partner, Digital Garage, the University of Staffordshire’s KAIROS Academy will specialise in educating operators and students on getting the most out of Panasonic’s KAIROS IP-based live video production platform.
In addition to the University of Staffordshire KAIROS Academy, Panasonic also operates KAIROS academies across Europe with industry partners, with centres at Creative Technology (UK and Sweden), AED (Belgium), KST Moschkau (Germany) and VMB (Spain).
Richard Mortimer, Technical Services Manager at University of Staffordshire, commented: “We’re delighted to be the first UK university to become a KAIROS Academy Partner. It gives us the best opportunity to utilise Panasonic’s and Digital Garage’s expertise to train our students with the required IP-based skills required for a future in video production – whilst positioning us a leader in academic eSports broadcasting.”
IP-based 4K broadcasting in an academic setting
The first university to launch a dedicated eSports degree, University of Staffordshire has invested £2.7 million in upgrading its infrastructure with Panasonic professional broadcasting equipment, at its Stoke-on-Trent eSports Broadcasting Hub. In addition to 4K-capable PTZ cameras and HDR studio cameras, two Panasonic KAIROS AT-KC200 mainframes have been installed. These primarily utilise the SMPTE ST 2110 IP-based transmission standard that is revolutionising the transmission of video and audio signals over IP networks.
KAIROS virtualises traditional switcher functions and eliminates many legacy switcher hardware constraints. It features innovative CPU/GPU architecture and removes the one-to-one input restrictions of SDI-only switchers. This will enable much of the intermediary kit to be removed, providing a cutting-edge, cost-effective solution for eSports broadcasting.
For more information, read the case study here.
About the Panasonic Group
Founded in 1918, and today a global leader in developing innovative technologies and solutions for wide-ranging applications in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, industry, communications, and energy sectors worldwide, the Panasonic Group switched to an operating company system on April 1, 2022, with Panasonic Holdings Corporation serving as a holding company and eight companies positioned under its umbrella. The Group reported consolidated net sales of Euro 54.12 billion (8,496.4 billion yen) for the year ended March 31, 2024.
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About Panasonic Connect Europe GmbH
Panasonic Connect Europe began operations on October 1st, 2021, creating a new Business-to-Business focused and agile organisation. With more than 400 employees and led by CEO Shusuke Aoki, the business aims to contribute to the success of its customers with innovative products and integrated systems and services – all designed to deliver its vision to Change Work, Advance Society and Connect to Tomorrow.
Panasonic Connect Europe is headquartered in Wiesbaden and consist of the following business units:
The Mobile Solutions Business Division helping mobile workers improve productivity with its range of Toughbook rugged notebooks, business tablets and handhelds.
The Media Entertainment Business Division incorporating Visual System Solutions offering a range of high brightness and reliable projectors as well as high quality displays; and Broadcast & ProAV offering Smart Live Production solutions from an end-to-end portfolio consisting of PTZ and system cameras, camcorders, the Kairos IT/IP platform, switchers and robotic solutions that are widely used for live event capture, sports production, television, and xR studios.
Business and Industry Solutions delivering tailored technology solutions focused on Retail, Logistics and Manufacturing. Designed to increase operational efficiency and enhance customer experience, helping businesses to perform at their best, every day.
Panasonic Factory Solutions Europe selling a wide range of smart factory solutions including electronics manufacturing solutions, robot and welding systems and software solutions engineering.
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Please visit Panasonic Connect Europe’s LinkedIn page here.
