Enhanced e-learning facilities in 4 schools

DST, Ericsson effort gives 4,000 pupils hi-speed broadband Internet connection

TO PROVIDE more enhanced e-learning experiences to students, a high-speed mobile broadband Internet connectivity was announced yesterday by Data Stream Technology (DST) Group and Ericsson for some 4,000 students from four schools in the Sultanate.

The students are expected to take the teaching and learning experience to new heights, through the enabling of instant and speedy access to online resources within Brunei schools.

The joint community relations effort falls in line with the Ministry of Education's (MoE) revamped education system, designed to equip students across Brunei, with skills and knowledge to compete in the new Internet economy.

In a press release yesterday, it was stated that the community relations project between the two organisations, aligned with Brunei's Ministry of Education's Mobile Teaching and Learning Programme (MobiTEL) was a pilot programme to contribute to educational excellence in Brunei.

The four nominated schools, Tanjong Kindana primary school, Berakas Secondary school, Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar Secondary school and the Sayyidina Othman Secondary school will be provided with Ericsson Fixed Wireless Terminals (FWT), DST high-speed data-SIM cards and laptops.

The aforementioned schools will be able to enjoy seamless and fast Internet connection effortlessly, through top-notch infrastructure and high-speed wireless networks at any one place without cables or landlines.

At the same time, educators will also be able to take e-learning out of the classrooms and enjoy instant speed and flexible deployment anywhere around within the schools premises.

In addition, multiple users would be able to enjoy the benefits of mobile learning, with instant Internet connectivity speed of up to 7.2Mbps.

DST's Group Development Officer Hj Marsad Hj Ismail said: "This wireless broadband service which was announced today will provide opportunities for students to surf the Internet with the GO! Broadband service."

Hj Marsad added that as schools were no longer confined to classrooms, opportunities for mobile learning would be essential for students as they acquire skills to be competitive.

"This collaboration with Ericsson is a step forward in building an all-communicating world and we look forward to delivering our innovative capabilities to educational institutions in Brunei," he said.

Meanwhile, Ericsson's President and Country manager Fadi Pharaon, who will be heading operations in Singapore and Brunei, remarked that they were privileged to be a part of the initiative to benefit Brunei schools.

"This is a further realisation of our vision to improve equality of access and revolutionise communications around the world, and Ericsson is committed to be a prime driver in bridging the digital divide through its technology leadership in telecommunications," he said.

MoE Permanent Secretary (Core Education) Datin Paduka Apsah Hj Abd Majid launched the project at the Sayyidina Othman Secondary school yesterday.

The Brunei Times