• LearnNet: An Arab Regional Distance Learning Network

LearnNet was designed to support Arab countries in leapfrogging into the information age through developing the necessary professional skills required in the area of information technology. It will help training the trainers, educators and professionals on the advanced tools and techniques of information technology using advanced communication and networking facilities. The network uses videoconferencing-based communication tools and techniques to deliver education and professional development to participating countries.

The network was initially established with the support of the World Bank InfoDev Program to provide access to quality professional training programs, designed by leading international training agencies and delivered through LearnNet to countries in the Arab region. Phase I of LearnNet links Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Morocco, and Egypt. With the aim of enhancing and supporting education and professional development in IT related areas, the project aims at achieving the following objectives:


• Establish a regional network for distance learning in the area of information technology;



• Support participating countries in developing communication and networking infrastructure facilities required for operating the IT distance learning network;



• Create electronic classrooms in participating countries to operate the network and run the distance learning training courses;



• Acquire state-of-the-art training courses existing in the international market that can be provided to trainers and professionals in the region through the network;



• Develop and acquire training material in specialized information technology areas to be used in running the distance learning program in Arabic as well as English;



• Organize and conduct on-line training courses in the area of information technology.



LearnNet is built on ISDN based connectivity and national nodes linked through an MCU, which will be leased on an hourly basis during the pilot implementation. Each node is equipped with a videoconferencing facility that allows for interactive sessions between participating countries.

• The Global Distance Learning Center (GDLC)

Starting in 2000, RITSEC hosts the Global Distance Learning Center (GDLC), established jointly with the World Bank to connect Egypt to the World Bank's Global Distance Learning Network (GDLN). The GDLN is a distance learning network among Africa, Latin America & The Caribbean, Middle East & North Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. Several nodes in each region have been established. The GDLN is planned to link 50 countries around the world into one global network. The GDLC-Egypt will bridge the GDLN to the Arab countries through LearnNet.

The GDLC's objectives are to provide state-of-the-art and cost effective interactive learning activities to help improve knowledge development for strategy and policy makers in Egypt and to initiate, implement and conduct executive distance learning activities to support exchange of experience and linking people through knowledge development

The communication process is mainly carried out through VSAT technology that is used in delivering videoconferences, as in Egypt's case, as well as voice/FAX and data connectivity. The main VSAT network operation center for the GDLN is in Washington, DC, where the communication hub connects Distance Learning Centers together. The connection could either be VSAT technology , which is the network's main topology, or ISDN lines for sites during the installation process of the VSAT equipment


• Local Support Centers

To achieve its objectives, the Global Campus assigns Local Support Centers within the participating countries to:


• Promote Global Campus programes locally;



• Provide staff (tutors) to conduct face to face tutorials;)



• Provide a teaching and learning resource center;



• Provide a registration and fee collection service ;



• Provide examination facilities (in conjunction with any local overseas examination authority), conforming to university regulations;



• Provide staff to supervise the academic direction of individual projects (in conjunction with the university staff);



• Provide a 'host' for the web based content so that students can access it through a local Internet service provider at local telephone rates or better;



• Ensure that student identification be verified;



• Provide a platform for weekly tutorial sessions during each semester and provide a forum for student assisted learning.



There are currently three local support centers at The Regional Information Technology Institute (RITI), Cairo, Egypt; University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; and Middlesex University, United Kingdom.