Voice or virtual assistants have been long in our homes. These intelligent devices make our daily lives easier. They offer the possibility of consulting any type of information without interrupting what we are doing, revising our schedule or agenda, listening to music, programming timers… All of it connected also to the rest of intelligent appliances and devices.

This tool reveals itself really useful also for university students. Therefore CEU Universities offer the CEU Digital Assistant, a pioneer initiative based on Amazon’s Alexa system. It is the first App of this sort in Spain specifically designed to provide the services of a University institution.

Thus, students of Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera will be the first ones worldwide to test this university assistant in Spanish and English; ask about class hours, schedule mentoring sessions, access topic’s contents, enroll in activities, book sports fields, check the agenda, etc. Just by saying “Alexa, open CEU” out loud you will access the customized skill.

How to use the CEU digital assistant

Students may use Alexa CEU in three ways:

 – Using Amazon Echo Dot devices installed at different Campus locations. This way they may make consultations in any corridor and receive useful and easy answers.

– Using the Alexa App downloaded to their phones and with the Skill CEU that is available at Amazon store. This is the best way to have this tool always at hand and to use it anywhere anytime.

– Using the intelligent personalized speaker Amazon Echo Dot CEU provides to each degree student. It will be given to new students at the welcoming session. All other students who wish one may ask for it using this form.

As it is an Artificial Intelligence system, Alexa CEU will improve its answers and functions as student use it. Therefore, it will improve little by little adapting to the needs of users.

Alexa CEU just as any virtual assistant, checks information on the Internet. The first time you use it, you will have to register with an Office 365 account to receive personalized attention. If Alexa does not understand the question, it may ask you to repeat it. The best thing is to use a language as natural and simple as possible.

Commitment to the development of digital competences and efficiency in the academic field.

CEU Universities know that digital skills are essential for a successful university life and to develop professionally. Therefore this new project is embedded within this commitment to innovation and to boost the digital competences of our students.

On the other hand Alexa will help us speed up processes and improve the relation with our students. It will offer further support to in-person education, enriching it and bringing Universities and students closer together in a natural and fluid manner.