USP Tonga connects to high speed internet [1]
Tuesday, July 15, 2014 - 21:15. Updated on Wednesday, July 16, 2014 - 11:13.
The Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano launched the University of the South Pacific Tonga campus fast internet connectivity to Tonga’s fibre optic cable network today, Tuesday 15 July.
The USPNET connection will provide easy access to coursework and more educational opportunities through online courses to over 1,000 students currently studying at the campus.
Lord Tu’ivakano said this is a historical day made possible through Tonga’s fire optic cable network connectivity with Fiji.
"One of Tonga's most important resource is its students so it is vital that we prepare their education the best we can for the future of this country. We have to keep up with the technological developments and since we are the first pilot project we should use this connection provided by Tonga Cable Ltd the best we can," he said.
He said the faster connectivity will also benefit students and assist parents who cannot afford to pay for their children’s university fees as students can finish their education in Tonga.
The PM launched the connection with a video conference with the USP campus in Fiji.
Connection
Dr ‘Ana Koloto the Director of USP Tonga said the campus is connected to the fibre at Tonga Cable then to the USP campus in Laucala, Fiji.
USP Tonga is also connected to AARNet, the Australian Academic Research Network in which all universities in Australia are connected to.
She said the USP Laucala campus is the only campus connected to AARNet while campuses in the region outside Fiji are not due to the restriction in bandwidth. That is which why we are immensely happy today because we are now conected and we can now download around 100 million words in a second to our network, she said.
"One important aspect of this project is that more online courses would be available online to be taken here at USP Tonga. This is important for parents and students because the fast connectivity means more chance for education through the fibre, and with connection to AARNet students and teachers can access their vast and reliable educational resources."
She said the project's phase 2 will look at connecting the Tonga Institute of Education, Tupou Teritiary Institute and two high schools that offers USP foundation level, ‘Apifo’ou and Tailulu College to the USP network.
Opportunity
Meanwhile, Don Robertson the AARNet CEO said "this is a great opportunity not just for faster internet in Tonga but for the future generation in connecting USP Tonga and also Tongan schools and youths to AARNet."
He said AARNET is one of 120 worldwide research and education network that connects schools to each other among other fields.
"What this means for Tonga is that your children can now have the same chance as a child living in Sydney to further their education. Courses anywhere in world are freely available online and this is a chance to connect and participate in those courses. This is the first in the Pacific done with great foresight from your PM."