Connecting educational institutions in Asia
05 October 2009
Trans-Eurasia Information Network has recently been launched by a UK-based organisation to boost the capacity and footprint of research networking in Asia-Pacific. With the next-generation tools and virtual classrooms, the network will aid the development of telemedicine and surgical training in the region.
A third generation information highway known as the Trans-Eurasia Information Network (TEIN3) has been launched to connect more than 4000 research and education organisations in Asia Pacific, enabling large volumes of data to be shared.
- Image credits: FutureGov/ TEIN3 cabling<br />
The project, which has a budget of US$35 million over four years, is expected to see more universities and research institutes benefit from higher speed internet access, next-generation multi-party teleconferencing, virtual classrooms and remote consulting.
TEIN3 connected 11 countries in Southeast Asia in 2006, including Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
The latest extension will see countries in South Asia, including India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan, come on board.
The project is being run by Dante, a UK-based not-for-profit networking organisation, while Juniper Networks is supplying the network’s routers and switches.
Dante’s TEIN3 project manager David West said:
“There are already 30 million users of our network in Southeast Asia, and now that is set to increase dramatically. The network will greatly benefit those with high computational demands and enable universities in Asia to better collaborate internationally.”
West added that the network could also be used to aid the development of telehealth in Asia. “Medical students will be able to watch consultants perform keyhole surgery,” he said.
West revealed that TEIN4 will most likely be underway by 2011 to connect other parts of Asia, such as Central Asia.
