Project Connect - On Its Way

ECF Consultants- Testing Bandwidth Saipan, Tinian & Rota

During January of 2007, the technical staff of the Educational Consulting Foundation visited the three campus sites of the Northern Marianas College. The purpose of this visit was to measure the level of bandwidth between the Saipan campus site and the two remote sites on Tinian and Rota. Measurements were taken between Saipan and Tinian, Tinian and Rota and Saipan and Rota. The results of the test indicated that the purposes of the ANA project should be capable of being established.

At the present time, the Educational Consulting Foundation staff is evaluating the equipment that would best serve the project with the data gathered. Once the solution is established, it will be tested in California before it is shipped to NMC.

Based on the information gathered, it is projected that the initial installation will be completed by the start of the fall, 2007 academic semester.

Project Connect: Inter-Island Distance Learning Network

Project Connect: Inter-Island Distance Learning Network is funded by The Administration for Native Americans (ANA) through The Department of Health and Human Services and The Administration for Children and Families. The project will be located at Northern Marianas College on Saipan.

The Commomwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are extremely excited and appreciative that Project Connect was funded for the years 2006-2009 by ANA. The goal of Project Connect is to connect the 3 remote islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota with reliable and consistent access to education, information and vital resources through new Internet Communication Technology (ICT), a point-to-point wireless network, which will allow the transmission of critical knowledge, valuable resources including educational courses, workshops, telemedicine, and community services to increase economic opportunities and services to the island's native population.

This weblog is established to communicate project events and activities to the community members of the CNMI, especially the islands of Saipan, Tinian & Rota.

The blog will be updated regularly by Project Connect Staff to keep everyone up-to-date with the latest project happenings. Make sure you return frequently or subscribe to the "blog" often to see what new learning experiences are planned for you and your community.