SWAN The Schools-Computers Wide Area Network Project

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SWAN The Schools-Computers Wide Area Network
Project
Presenter K. Mustafa Toure, mtoure_at_moes.gov.bz
Coordinator(GOB/MoEYS Schools-Computers Wide
Area Network Task Force)

• BUILDING THE BELIZEAN KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY
• Using Information Technology (IT) for Sustainable
  Development

MoEYS
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PROLOGUEThe New Industrial Revolution

• The world is on the threshold of a new
  industrial revolution. A revolution which
  promises to be at least as significant as that
  which has brought most of the growth of the
  worlds economy in the past two centuries, a
  revolution with global reach. At the epicenter
  are Information Technology and Telecommunications
  
• International Telecommunications Union 1999
  Publication

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BACKGROUND The IT Industry1. Global Regional
Perspectives

• Epicenter of the new Industrial Revolution is
  Telecommunications and Information Technology!
• Ability to use IT effectively will be among the
  determining factors in separating leaders from
  laggards in the world economy!

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1. BACKGROUND The IT Industry2. Policy
   Development Uses of IT

• Instrument to make existing Productive Sectors
  more Efficient
• Area of Economic Activity in its own right
• Tool of Training and Education

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1. BACKGROUND The IT Industry3. Telecommunications
   Reform Key

• Virtually all developing countries are
  undertaking structural reforms of some kind to
  enhance economic efficiency as a prerequisite
  toward increasing national welfare. The range
  and impact of telecommunications reform and the
  introduction of a sound IT sector are
  intrinsically linked to this broader reform
  agenda.
• World Bank Report on Telecommunications Reform.

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I. BACKGROUND The VISIONTo Harness Information
and Telecommunication Technology for Enhancing
Education, Improving National Welfare Securing
Belizes Place in the New Global Economy!

• WHAT? To provide computers and unlimited
  internet access for all primary, secondary, and
  tertiary level schools, all libraries and other
  educational institutions in Belize.
• HOW? To establish a wireless fiber-optics
  based Wide Area Network (WAN) linking all
  government offices and other governmental
  institutions, e.g. schools, libraries, hospitals,
  police stations, etc.
• HOW MUCH? By using the wide area network to
  provide Government with all the
  telecommunications services it presently obtains,
  substantial savings can be achieved.

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II. Meeting National IT Infrastructure
Requirements

• Data Communication Backbone for Government owned
  Virtual Private Network (VPN)
• Internet Diffusion for Social Sector Reforms
  (Education, Health)
• Supporting National Poverty Elimination Strategy
  to Provide IT Access for Poor Rural communities
  
• Strengthening of Tourism Financial sectors
• Development of IT and Services Sector

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III. Expected Benefits Nationally

• Established links to all major population areas
  nationally
• Established country-wide Computer networking
  framework for government
• High-speed internet access supported country-wide
  for schools and other distance learning programs
• Any locale allowed to be used for IT services,
  development and products

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III. Expected Benefits Education Sector

• Compliments existing IT initiatives in the
  Education sector
• Schools will get hardware unlimited internet
  access at no cost
• NGOs and Civil Society receive hardware plus
  unlimited Internet access at low monthly per unit
  user fees.

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IN CLOSING

• Embracing IT Using IT for sustainable
  development in Belize
• Making IT Happen - Putting the necessary
  infra-structure in place
• Teaching IT - Updating the educational
  curriculum, teacher training and student access
• Marketing IT To local entrepreneurs, investors,
  students, and professionals.
• LETS Get With IT!.

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Thank you for your Attention

• Questions?

MoEYS