Jordan Times
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Internet links 8
universities By Rami Abdelrahman
AMMAN — The Ministry of Information and Communications Technology on Monday
launched a broadband Internet network to link eight state universities — a key
step in educational reforms.
"We want students and professors to work hand in hand to make the best of this
network," His Majesty King Abdullah told the universities' presidents yesterday
in a videoconferencing session at the University of Jordan after the launching
of the network.
"This is a very important step, and we hope to see all universities connected to
this network."
The network would allow students to use videoconferencing, a nationwide
e-library, distance learning and continuous communication.
According to Minister of Information and Communications Technology and Minister
of Administrative Development Fawaz Zu'bi, the government plans to connect
around 1.5 million students within the next three years.
Zu'bi said 3,000 educational institutions in Europe will be connected to the
network and Arab educational institutions are welcomed to take part.
In a bid to facilitate the network management, a non-profitable company was
established under the name of Unico to operate and maintain the network on
behalf of the eight public universities.
The ministry is currently assisting the firm to develop and enhance Internet
connectivity solutions operated by the universities.
According to Zu'bi, the ministry also plans to develop a broadband utilisation
strategy and connect the universities to international educational networks.
President and CEO of Cisco Systems Inc. John Chambers, who is in Amman to
participate in the Jordan ICT Forum, said linking education to the Internet will
lead to fundamental changes.
Chambers added that Jordan "will lead the ICT sector in the region, not only in
terms of preparing qualified human resources, but also through setting up such
networks."
Meanwhile, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Issam Zabalawi
announced that the University of Jordan has developed its own computer driving
licence that meets the standards of the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL).
As part of its efforts to reform education, the Kingdom last year launched the
Jordan Education Initiative with the help of 34 local and international
companies during the extraordinary session of the World Economic Forum held at
the Dead Sea.
The initiative seeks to improve the development and delivery of education to
citizens through public-private partnerships.
It is also designed to build the capacity of the local information technology
industry for the development of innovative learning solutions in partnership
with world-class firms.