6/1/2015eDevelopment seminar series November 2, 2000 – CID/Harvard Enhancing Educational Outreach through Information and Communication Technology A discussion.

04/18/23 eDevelopment seminar series

November 2, 2000 – CID/Harvard

Enhancing Educational Outreach through Information and Communication Technology

A discussion on ICT related activities in Angola

Filippo NardinAngola Educational Assistance Fund


AEAF

The Angola Educational Assistance Fund (AEAF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Boston

The AEAF was founded in May, 1996, by Michael Kennedy, the late Chairman of Citizens Energy, with initial funding coming from a Production Sharing Agreement for an offshore oil exploration block

Its mission is to support the Catholic University of Angola (UCAN) working with other higher education institutions, NGO’s, private sector, in Angola and abroad


UCAN

The Catholic University of Angola (Universidade Catolica de Angola, UCAN) is an open university, with admission criteria based solely on merit, its purpose being to serve Angola and its people

First non-state university in Angola, its presence creates an alternative that encourages higher standards of academic education

Inaugurated on October 19, 1999

1000+ students enrolled

Departments established: Law, Economics, Management

To begin in 2001: Computer Engineering


UCAN


Discussion Overview

1. Internet Connectivity (1997-1999) Internet connectivity and Computer Network at the Catholic

University of Angola Computer Labs Internet access Library Administration

2. SchoolNet Angola (2000-2001) A School Networking initiative

Training for teachers Internet access for schools and community

3. Computer Engineering Department (2000-2003)


Internet Connectivity (1997-1999)

Collaborative effort between: Academic institutions

Catholic University of Angola (UCAN) University of Trento, Italy

NGO’s Angola Educational Assistance Fund (AEAF) International Telecomputing Consortium (ITC)

Gov’t International Development Research Centre (IDRC) USAID (specifically the Leland Initiative)

Private sector Ebonet (a local ISP)



Objectives: To bring the highest possible information and communication

technology standard to UCAN staff and students, create local expertise and transfer know-how and managing

responsibility, introduce the community of schools in Luanda to the use of

information technology, create an access center for the local community, and provide computer and Internet access related services to non-

governmental organizations’ and businesses in Luanda



Phase zero: telecommunication environment survey (1997)

First phase: guidelines defined, servers installed, LAN “switched-on” 5 computers shipped to UCAN by AEAF PBX installed, dial-up connection to Ebonet established

Second phase: first classroom, external dial-in, local management 15 computers shipped to UCAN by AEAF

Final phase: complete installation Ethernet wireless bridge to Ebonet established 60 computers shipped to UCAN by AEAF



100+ personal computers (80+ shipped by AEAF in the course of the project) 4 servers (network, backup, email, admin) - PII 2 classrooms with 12+1 computers - PII 2 classrooms with 6+1 computers - PI Additional access space with 6+1 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



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



56 Kbs Dial-up

Satellite Connection

1 Mbs Ethernet

UCANServer

1 Mbs Leased Line512 Kbs Wireless Bridge

EBONET (ISP)UCANUCAN Angola Telecom (TELCO)



UCAN Wavenet Wireless Bridge

Antenna

Ebonet Building with Transmitting

Antenna



UCAN Server Room

Compaq Server, Backup Server,

PBX, etc

Computer Classroom 12+1 PC’s, 1 Printer



Computer Access areas Left: 8 Pc’s, 2 Printers Right: 12 Pc’s



Cost Analysis Total cost of project: ~$210,000

Total cost of equipment: ~$140,000 (~2/3 of total)

Number of computer installed: 150+ Users accessing network: 1200+ Cost per computer: ~$1,400 (or

~$175/user) equipment only: ~$900 (or $~120/user)

Internet connection: $500/month i.e. ~$3/month per

computer i.e. ~$0.5/month per user


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!)


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 ISP’s: 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?


The Michael Kennedy Library

UCAN has dedicated itslibrary to the memory ofMichael Kennedy in recognition of his commitment and contributionto the project


The Michael Kennedy Library


SchoolNet Angola (2000-2001)

Effort by the AEAF and the Canadian International Development Research Centre (IDRC) to connect schools to the Internet and train teachers in using information technology to improve the quality of education offered to students.

four schools have been identified by AEAF, and their teachers have attended formal ICT training by Ebonet and UCAN (computer classes totaling 40 hours over 10 weeks).

During the second phase, a container with about 80 donated personal computers and miscellaneous hardware material has been sent by AEAF to Angola. Ebonet is responsible for the installation of these computers at the schools.



The next phase of this project (to be started soon) will be to extend the collaboration between Angolan schools and other African schools under the auspices of the SchoolNet Africa network, an initiative by the Canadian International Development Research Centre (IDRC).



STATUS APRIL, 14, 2000 Goal

Introduce a selected number of schools in Luanda to the use of information and communication technology and to connect to the Internet. The schools will start interact with other national and international educational institutions and access academic resources and information in general

Funding IDRC, Johannesburg

Implementation AEAF, Boston

Ebonet, LuandaUCAN, Luanda

Schools IMEL, Luanda

IMIL, Luanda1^ Maio, LuandaICRA, Luanda

Contact: Filippo Nardin, AEAFEmail [email protected] +1 (617) 812-1055



Final selection of 4 participating schools has been made: IMIL, IMEL, Primeiro de Mail, ICRA (see following pages for more

detailed information) the AEAF proposal to IDRC specified 3 schools, we feel that the

resources allow us to add one school to the group

A meeting with schools representatives have been held at the Catholic University on April 12, 2000

The project and its timeline have been discussed Emphasis will be on building strong collaboration among the

schools A selected group of teachers will form a collaborative group and

attend training



STATUS APRIL, 14, 2000 Training schedule has been planned

An introductory training week will be held at IMEL, 10 hours, April 24-28

Training classes will start at UCAN May 2 until June 15, and they will be carried out by Ebone

3 days (TUE-WED-THU), 2 hours per class, total of 40 hours

Contact: Ms. Haymee PerezEBONETEmail [email protected] +244 (2) 336533



STATUS APRIL, 14, 2000 Equipment

Installation of equipment and dial-up scheduled right after training is completed (details will follow)

Minimal equipment (2 PCs) is guaranteed per each school Negotiation are under way with BP/Amoco to receive donated equipment

from their charitable programs

Contact: Luduvina da CostaBP/Amoco AngolaEmail [email protected] +244 (2) 330112

Miscellaneous Electricity is not a problem, all schools have generators Dial-up dedicated line is available at IMEL and IMIL, and it is currently

shared at 1^ Maio and ICRA. A request will be made to Angola Telecom to have dedicated dial-up lines at these schools


Instituto Medio de Economia de Luanda (IMEL) Instituto Medio Industrial de Luanda (IMIL)



Primeiro de Maio (Escola do II Nivel) Instituto de Ciencias Religiosas de Angola (ICRA)

Secioes Educadores Sociais e Assistência SocialInstituto Superior D. Pio XII




Summary of next steps Complete training for teachers Install or reserve dedicated dial-up lines Install PCs and dial-up Teachers and educators introduce use of ICT to the school Form delegation for School Networking meeting in South Africa Start a SchoolNet Angola etc


Computer Engineering Department (2000-2003)

· Computer Engineering Department at UCAN. The department will teach ICT skills to students and offer continuing education programs to the community at large. The goals of the project are wide-ranging and include: (1) providing young Angolans with valuable practical knowledge needed to succeed in the local economy; (2) building a faculty capable of effectively teaching and conducting ICT-related research; and (3) enhancing capacity in the community at large by means of training in the use of ICT.

One such project is the establishment of a Computer Engineering Department (CED) at the main campus of the Catholic

University of Angola (UCAN) in the capital Luanda that will offer Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills to students and continuing education programs to the community at large. Assisting UCAN in this effort are other institutions: the University of Trento acts as an academic advisor for the development of the CED curriculum; the Angola Educational Assistance Fund provides financial support, consulting and industry relation services to UCAN.The goals of the project are wide-ranging and include: (1) providing young Angolans with valuable practical skills needed to succeed in the local economy; (2) building a faculty capable of effectively teaching and conducting ICT-related research; and (3) enhancing capacity in the community at large by means of training in the use of ICT.The current state of the project is as follows: eighty undergraduate Angolan students are enrolled in the “preparatory year” (“propedeutico”) of the CED; the CED curriculum of studies is defined; the teaching staff is partly appointed; and a first round of classes has been offered to high school teachers as part of the continuing education programs.In the proposed paper we analyze and discuss the following issues.Strategy and definition of the CED curriculum. After researching the operating practices of local companies, we were able to develop a program specifically designed to meet the needs of such companies. For example, the curriculum allows for more than one educational path, in order to provide training for the diverse skill levels needed by the industry.Methodology to form a teaching staff at the CED. The current faculty has two staff members, and applications are currently being accepted to fill more positions. We are also involving external teachers, e.g. from the private sector. This is an opportunity for strengthening the relationship with local industries in a mutually beneficial way.Development of a leadership role in capacity building within Angolan society. We are devising a plan to offer internship programs to CED students at local companies. We also plan to extend the availability of ICT training programs intended to serve the community (i.e. school teachers, small businesses, local leaders, NGO's, etc) using the CED infrastructure.Linking the CED to the international research community. Toward this end, we plan to start a joint research centre with selected companies operating in Angola. Its research activities will be focused on several areas, including: applied technologies in emerging countries; digital divide; and multi-cultural working settings. The centre will offer an opportunity to engage in field research in a very unique and dynamic environment.


CONTACT

Angola Educational Assistance FundTEL (617) 951-0467

FAX (617) 812-1055 [email protected]

http://www.aeaf.org

Catholic University of Angola+244 (2) 331973+244 (2) 398759 (fax)[email protected]://www.ucan.edu


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

6/1/2015eDevelopment seminar series November 2, 2000 – CID/Harvard Enhancing Educational Outreach through Information and Communication Technology A discussion.

Documents

aeaf slide

schoolnet angola

luanda slide

computer engineering

ucan staff

teachers internet access

local isp slide

aeaf final phase