Enhancing Educational Goals through Information Technology

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Enhancing Educational Goals through Information
Technology

• The Creation of a Computer and Internet Access
  Centerat the Catholic University of Angola
• FILIPPO NARDINANGOLA EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FUND
• MILLENIUM MINDS CONFERENCECAPE TOWN, SEPTEMBER
  29 - OCTOBER 2, 1999

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AEAF Profile

• The Angola Educational Assistance Fund (AEAF) was
  founded in Boston in May, 1996, by Michael
  Kennedy, the late Chairman of Citizens Energy
• Established as an IRS 501(c )(3) non-profit
  organization, the AEAF administrates funds from
  the Block 1 Production Sharing Agreement between
  Citizens Energy, Energy Africa, SAGA, Mobil, and
  Sonangol
• Directors
• Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy, II (Chairman)
• Dr. Agostinho de Miranda
• Mr. James P. Hayward

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AEAF Mission

• To support the establishment of the Catholic
  University of Angola (UCAN),
• promote the collaboration between higher
  education institutions and development
  organizations, in Angola and abroad,
• encourage the involvement of the private sector
  in educational activities in Angola, and
• serve as a point of reference for a modern
  approach to development.

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AEAF Structure

• Small overhead, non-core activities outsource,
  focused on delivering
• Use proceedings from portfolio management and
  income from programs to finance activities
• Use exclusively information technology for
  communication, project coordination, public
  relations, marketing activities, etc
• Use partners resources wherever possible
  (accommodations, facilities, communication
  network, etc)

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AEAF Activities

• Collaborate with and advise the Catholic
  University of Angola on a variety of activities
• Work with non-governmental organizations to link
  their activities to the Catholic University (and
  its information and communication technology
  center)
• Organize educational activities and training
  programs for the private sector as a new way to
  engage in socially responsible projects which
  benefit both the companies and the local
  population

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Catholic University of Angola

• It is an open university, with admission criteria
  based solely on merit, its purpose being to serve
  Angola and its people
• Its presence creates an alternative that
  encourages higher standards of academic education
  in Angola
• Preparatory classes for 320 students started on
  February 23, 1999
• Official inauguration scheduled on October 19,
  1999
• Faculties established Law, Economics
• Future faculties Computer Science, Medical School

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Catholic University of Angola (View)
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The Michael Kennedy Library

• Michael Kennedy helped the Cardinal ofAngola to
  start the Catholic Universityof Angola project
• The Conference of the Bishops of Angolahas
  dedicated the library of the CatholicUniversity
  to his memory in recognitionof Michaels
  commitment and contributionto the project
• AEAF helped shipping 50,000 books tothe library
  in 1999

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The Michael Kennedy Library (View)
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Information Technology Project

• July 1, 1998 through June 30, 1999 collaborative
  effort. The following organizations contributed
  in various capacities
• Catholic University of Angola (UCAN)
• Angola Educational Assistance Fund (AEAF)
• International Telecomputing Consortium (ITC)
• University of Trento, Italy
• International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
• USAID (specifically the Leland Initiative)
• Ebonet (a local ISP)

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Project Goals

• To bring the highest possible information and
  communication technology standard to UCAN staff
  and students,
• create local expertise and transfer managing
  responsibility to UCAN,
• introduce the community of schools in Luanda to
  the use of information technology,
• create an access center for the surrounding
  community, and
• provide computer and Internet access related
  services to non-governmental organizations and
  businesses in Luanda

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Timelines

• First phase guidelines defined, servers
  installed, LAN switched-on
• 5 computers (incl. Compaq Proliant server)
  shipped to UCAN by AEAF
• PBX installed, dial-up connection to Ebonet
  established
• Second phase first classroom, external dial-in,
  local management takes over
• 15 computers shipped to UCAN by AEAF
• dedicated line for dial-up
• Third phase complete installation
• 1 Mbs wireless connection to Ebonet established
• 60 computers shipped to UCAN by AEAF

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Resources

• 100 personal computers (80 shipped by AEAF in
  the course of the project)
• 4 servers (network, backup, email, admin) - PII
• 2 classrooms with 121 computers - PII
• 2 classrooms with 61 computers - PI
• Additional access space with 61 computers at the
  library - PI
• 2 access spaces with 12 and 8 computers - 486
• Computers are linked together via Ethernet and
  through a permanent 1 Mbs wireless connection to
  a local ISP (Ebonet)
• System administration and technical support is
  local at UCAN, while networking tech. support is
  provided by Ebonet

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Technology (Hardware)

• Personal Computers (PII, PI, 486) as servers and
  workstations
• Ethernet (LAN), Dial-up (into LAN)
• Wireless Bridge to Ebonet 1 Mbs (WAVENET IP
  REMOTE and 23 dBI DIRECTIONAL ANTENNA)
• Leased line from Ebonet to Angola Telecom _at_ 512
  Kbs
• Angola Telecom satellite line _at_ 1 Mbs

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Technology (Software)

• Windows NT Client/Server strategic decision for
  security and easiness of use
• Localized (Portuguese) MS Office Suite
• MS Access for administrative and cataloging
  databases
• Internet Explorer, Netscape, various multimedia
  software for web access
• Web sites are hosted by AEAF in Boston
• HTTP Red Hat Linux/Apache server
• FTP SUN IPX Solaris 4

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Technology (Diagram)
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Technology (Views)
UCAN Wavenet Wireless Bridge Antenna
Ebonet Building with Transmitting Antenna
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Technology (Views)
UCAN Server RoomCompaq Server, Backup Server,
PBX, etc
Computer Classroom 121 PCs, 1 Printer
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Technology (Views)
Computer Access area8 Pcs, 2 Printers
Computer Access area12 Pcs
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Cost Analysis

• Total cost of project 210,000
• Total cost of equipment 140,000 (2/3 of
  total)
• Number of computer installed 100
• Users currently granted access 400
• Cost per computer 2,600- (or 650-/user)
• Including only equipment costs 1,400- (or
  350-/user)
• Internet connection 900/month
• i.e. 9-/month computer
• i.e. 2.25-/month user

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Key success factors

• Listen to people and assess real needs
• Set realistic milestones, but deliver and show
  results quickly
• Make sustainability a VERY high priority
• Create local expertise that will eventually
  manage operations and take over leadership
• Work with local organizations, trade services
  with them
• Involve as many entities as possible (non
  governmental organizations, private sector, local
  community) to broaden support basis
• With time, widen scope of projects (think beyond
  immediate possibilities, or ... think big!)

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Challenges

• The need exists for wider use of IT, but the
  motivation and the demand must come from the
  users show the possibilities, people will
  follow. Is it true? Do we need to do more?
• What to do when telephone, ISDN, leased or
  cellular lines are not reliable or available?
  Are wireless spread spectrum or satellite
  connections a valid alternative?
• What about local ISPs dependable? Location?
  Technology?
• Is the telecom provider supporting the
  development of Internet? What about licensing or
  regulating the latest technologies ?
• Should one plan for other marginal cities and
  rural areas? How?

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How to contact us

• Angola Educational Assistance Fund1 (617)
  951-04671 [phone] (fax)filippo_at_aeaf.org
  http//www.aeaf.org
• Catholic University of Angola244 (2)
  331973244 (2) 398759 (fax)info_at_ucan.eduhttp//
  www.ucan.edu