1. UNAMAZ
2. Goals
3. Justification
4. Proposed Activities
5. Anticipated Outcome
6. Mini-workshop in Manaus, Amazona on May 31, June 1 and 2, 2000

6.1 Goals of Workshop:
6.2 Objectives of Workshop:
6.3 Justifications:
6.4 Sponsors and/or Participating Institutions:
6.5 Conduct of Workshop:

6.5.1 Demonstration on Low Cost Teleconferencing:
6.5.2 Demonstration on Telemedicine:
6.5.3 Presentations:

6.6 Outcomes:

7. Next Step:

7.1 Brainstorming in Caracas, Venezuela:
7.2 University of Roraima:

1. UNAMAZ

The UNAMAZ, a consortium of universities in 8 countries in Amazon region, will undertake the project as described below. Those countries are Bolivia (7), Brazil (21), Canada (1), Colombia (10), Equador (9), Guayana (2), Guiana Francesa (2), Peru (13), Suriname (1), Venezuela (11) -- total 77 universities.
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2. Goals

The goals of this regional project are;

• To contribute for the set-up of the GUS/South America in order to establish technological alternatives to promote access and use of the available technology for distance learning in the environmental, medical and educational fields.
  
  
• To strength interaction among universities, governments and the private sector from the international Amazonia, in order to effectively lower the gaps among those countries and the developed world and to foster socio-economic development for present and future generations.

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3. Justification

Electronic means of communication have been taking an ever-greater role in our societies. Internet business, for instance, is expected to move money in the order of billions of dollars. Scientific progress at universities has been enhanced by accessing to databases via Internet. Medical equipment, now more than ever, is based on digital equipment, a fact that makes it quite immediate to send the acquired data via Internet, or process it by a PC. In a word, anyone not wired in a way or another will be in a great disadvantage with respect to his or her peers.

South America is the home of one of the world's unique environment, the Amazon Rainforest. The region was considered as an empty area in terms of human population density, particularly in the Brazilian side. During the last years, the media called the world's attention to the deforestation and biodiversity loss problems that were happening in the region.

These problems can be substantially minimized if the isolation problem is addressed. Isolation makes people unaware of their importance as citizens and increase impoverishing and degradation of the environment and economic system. In situations like that, people will not understand the importance to conserve the environment or how to benefit from it without compromise their own future as well as the future of future generations. Ultimately, such unawareness can perpetuate a cycle of economic and social poverty and environmental degradation.

The implementation of modern low-cost communication technology can drastically reduce the risks threatening the region. A broadband communication network connecting major universities in Amazonia will promote the exchange of scientific information through university members of UNAMAZ, access to formal education in a non-traditional format, development of pharmaceutical and other industries associated to biodiversity, development of entrepreneurial activities related to distance learning and opportunities to cultural integration and understanding among the countries in the region. In addition, such a strong network will develop means and opportunities to establish a broadband connection with the rest of the world and to reduce or eliminate the current intercontinental connection constraints.
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4. Proposed Activities

1. In partnership with countries’ governments, in particular with the Brazilian surveillance project for Amazonia, SIVAM, the basis for a broadband connection among universities members of UNAMAZ and private organizations will be launched.
   
   Some possible forms this activity may take are:
   • Broadband connection among small towns and communities in Amazonia utilizing SIVAM and UNAMAZ's capabilities,
   • Exchange of environmental databases,
   • Environmental monitoring,
   • Teleconferences, based on text,
   • Videoconferences,
   • Web-based instructions,
   • Local experts assistance to medium size enterprises,
   • Multimedia development,
   • Scientific knowledge exchange.
     
     
2. Establishment of smaller local wireless networks for use in telemedicine, environmental education and training in both fields.
   
   Some of the forms this two-way interaction can take are:
   • Access to environmental databases and monitoring information,
   • Access to medical data bases,
   • Medical training,
   • Remote diagnostics,
   • Emergency support, like in floods and fire situations,
   • Prevention care.
     
     
3. Development of conditions leading to INTERNET-2 systems that will make practices such as telemedicine feasible and affordable to large segments of the population.
   
   
4. To set up each university member of UNAMAZ with technological conditions (software, hardware and personnel) to generate, receive and replicate knowledge through synchronous and asynchroneous media.
   
   
5. To start personnel training in partnership with other institutions around world like the Las Palmas University, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina and Houston Community College.

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5. Anticipated Outcome

It is expected the following benefits for South America:

• Universities from eight countries in the region will have better opportunities for interaction with each other (audio, video, data exchange, etc) and to contribute for developing economic alternatives for growth.
  
  
• To use natural resources from the region in a sustainable manner and benefit local and global population.
  
  
• Professors and students in those universities will have opportunities for professional training and knowledge multiplication.
  
  
• To promote doctors and nurses training and access to modern technology in order to offer better services for the communities.
  
  
• To promote telemedicine practices among universities hospitals and among the latter and local public clinics in small towns or communities.
  
  
• Development of entrepreneur capabilities, particularly from students coming out from universities members of UNAMAZ.

It is expected that interaction among the main universities of the international Amazonia will contribute to disseminate information about alternatives to promote sustainable development in Amazonia. At the same time, the region's population will have better access to healthcare information, which will preventively contribute for a better quality of life. In addition, a number of alternatives for distance learning will be developed what will decrease isolation and offer better opportunities for those living in the region.

A second expectation is that, after or during the implementation of this project, other countries from the Southern portion of South America as well as Central America can benefit from the initiative and to become a member of a continental broadband network.

Finally, this project has the potential to generate entrepreneurial opportunities for the entire region.
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6. Mini-workshop in Manaus, Amazona on May 31, June 1 and 2, 2000

The international interactive workshop and conference on "Technology and Distance Education for Sustainable Development of the Amazonia" was held in Manaus, Amazona, Brazil on May 31, June 1 and 2, 2000. This conference was funded or underwritten by the Federal University of Amazonas, Brazil, the UNAMAZ consortium of universities in 8 countries of the Amazon Basin, Fundacao Rede Amazonica, Fundacao Getulio Vargas, Centro de Cências do Ambiente, and GLOSAS/USA. Detailed information on the conference can be found at <http://lab tiama.pop-am.rnp.br/cca/workshop/English/wksp_E.htm>.

This workshop carried forward the objectives established at the path-breaking August 1999 Conference convened in Tampere, Finland where several projects were identified to be undertaken in various regions of the world to foster the establishment of advanced global broadband (45 Mbps) wireless and satellite Internet. Included in the establishment are the information infrastructure, the physical network of ground stations and satellites, content, and the institutionalization of the Global University System (GUS) which is to be financed by the Global Service Trust Fund (GSTF). Special emphasis was placed on creating linkages among institutions concerned with environment and development issues in the Greater Amazonia Basin. The digital revolution can have particular relevance for issues of sustainability and material development in critical areas such as Amazonia.
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6.1 Goals of Workshop:

The goals and objectives of the workshop were to:

• Promote accessible, affordable global distance learning;
  
• Increase understanding of different cultural conditions, values and needs;
  
• Foster evolution of distance learning bridges between institutions within the Amazon Basin and in North America;
  
• Emphasize values of sustainability and equality;
  
• Link innovators with decision-makers and funding resources;
  
• Identify pilot projects that will lead to full scale distance learning; and
  
• Discuss standardization of courses, credits, accreditation.

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6.2 Objectives of Workshop:

• To stimulate the use of and demonstrate applications of available communication technologies to be used in distance learning,
  
• To demonstrate possible telemedicine applications in Amazonia,
  
• To formalize Amazon Region draft project proposal, to make the feasibility study, action plan, etc. to realize UNAMAZ project of establishing domestic and international distance learning and telemedicine,
  
• To configure administrative and business schemes and to construct joint funding proposals.

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6.3 Justifications:

The workshop in Amazonas was chosen because it fulfilled important criteria for selection as a venue for further development:

• Local technical capacity and expertise could be made available,
  
• High level of interest and need has been demonstrated,
  
• Cooperation of local, state, and federal institutions was promised,
  
• Regional international interest was high in cooperating Amazon basin countries and their (UNAMAZ) institutions of higher education,
  
• The Amazon basin is an area of global importance and interest,
  
• The University of Amazonas and the University of Tennessee have had, for more than a decade, a continuing formal linkage agreement to cooperate. (The State of Amazonas and the State of Tennessee are sister states under the Partners for the Americas Program.)
  
• Scientists and academicians at the University of Amazona, the University of Tennessee, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have had strong working relationships and extensive exchange experiences.

This workshop was also justified by the fact that it stimulated direct and organize efforts and resources, national and international, to build up an agenda to make distance education and telemedicine a reality for Amazonia.
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6.4 Sponsors and/or Participating Institutions:


• Associao das Universidades da Amazonia (UNAMAZ) (Brazil)
  
• Brazilian Minister of Science and Technology (Brazil)
  
• Center for Environmental Sciences (CCA) (Brazil)
  
• Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV)/Superior Institute of Management and Economy from Amazonia (ISAE) (Brazil)
  
• GLObal Systems Analysis and Simulation Association in the U.S.A (GLOSAS) (USA)
  
• Global University System (GUS) (Finland)
  
• Houston Community College (USA)
  
• PanAmerican Federation of Associations of Medical Schools (Venezuela)
  
• Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) (USA)
  
• Rede Amazonica Foundation (FRAMAZON) (Brazil)
  
• SIVAM (Brazil)
  
• Tennessee Renaissance Center (USA)
  
• Tennessee Virtual University (USA)
  
• Universitat de les Illes Balears (Spain)
  
• University of Amazonas (Brazil)
  
• University of Michigan (USA)
  
• University of Sao Paulo (Brazil)
  
• University of Tennessee (USA)

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6.5 Conduct of Workshop:

This workshop was divided in two parts: demonstration and presentations. In the first part there was demonstrations on the use of low cost available technology for distance learning and telemedicine. The second part was consisted of presentations of experiences, national and international, and discussion of projects to be developed in the fields of concern.
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6.5.1 Demonstration on Low Cost Teleconferencing:

The workshop was held in the center of the tropical rainforest in the historic city of Manaus, a once-remote city, now connected electronically to the world. The number of 40 to 50 attendees was limited due to the size of conference room at TV Amazonas for “Low Cost Teleconferencing” demonstration in the afternoon of May 31st. This demonstration showed the applications of the audio/video streaming technology, the so-called Killer Application of broadband Internet, in addition to videoconferencing and telephony via Internet -- many of which software are now available free of charge.

Thanks to the availability of broadband (1.5 Mbps) Internet connection at the conference room of TV Amazonas (though it was dropped to about 70 Kbps at the demonstration site), the audio and video of NetMeeting and Internet telephony were very clear with counterparts in Houston, New York, England, etc. The demonstration of Internet telephony was particularly of great interest to the attendees, since it showed almost free telephone calls, compared with very high rate of overseas calls from Brazil. However, when the NetMeeting videoconferencing was made with Montana State University from the conference site in a hotel, the Internet line through a commercial Internet Service Provider (ISP) dropped its speed to mere 2 Kbps so that even chat with them could not be done without getting any keyboard response. This seemed that the ISP’s connection to the backbone trunk line was severely congested.
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6.5.2 Demonstration on Telemedicine:

Live telemedicine echocardiography was demonstrated at the studio of TV Amazonas in the evening of May 31st. An echocardiograph signal of a heart of a patient in Manaus was sent to a doctor at the University of Michigan for diagnosis, in order to open the eyes of local decision makers for the value of broadband approach. The images was disseminated to the participants around the world via Internet and via BRAZILSAT satellite throughout Brazil and South America. This was accomplished through TV Amazonas resources, Agilent Technologies echocardiogram and videoconferencing equipment.

Telemedicine demonstration was a superb, heartfelt show of a collaborative medical care in global scale to help a patient with a serious heart disease requiring prompt surgery in remote area of Amazon region. The patient’s disease was happened to be the Michigan doctor’s special interest, even with grants for further research from the US National Institute of Health (NIH). Both doctors agreed to treat the patient collaboratively from now on. The entire telemedicine consultation was televised and streamed over the internet. The local television company (TV Amazonas) uplinked the feed to BRAZILSAT who broadcast the signal to the entire country of Brazil and beyond to Venezuela and Colombia as a prime time program. The TV crew created picture in picture images of the attending and referring physicians, close up shots of the diagnostic equipment and close ups of a studio audience asking questions about the technology and how to be able to use such resources for business and distance learning as well as telemedicine.

We were very lucky to have the echocardiogram machine which was shipped from the US by Agilent Technology. It was told that the fully equipped machine was the only one in South America. Three Agilent Technology people attended the workshop and its president presented during our conference time their very exciting project with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) and others which installed a broadband (45 Mbps) Internet kiosk in Costa Rica.

During our workshop, we showed spectrum of various data telecom speed from mere 2 Kbps (which did not work for our use) to 384 Kbps (which gave us diagnostic quality image). Our demonstration indicated that the broadband Internet is the inevitable need, necessity and trend. This indication was the prime purpose of our mini-workshop, and the attendees appreciated it greatly. We also believe that tele-learning and tele-medicine should be two wheels of a cart, since each alone cannot be economically sustainable.
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6.5.3 Presentations:

Very interesting presentations were also made by many Brazilian and Spanish colleagues on distance learning and telehealth/telemedicine programs. For example, a professor of the Federal University of Sao Paulo presented his excellent Continuing Medical Education (CME) program. Conference presentations explored applications as well as technical strengths and weaknesses for sharing education, information, and resources throughout the world.

The attendees were consist of governmental agencies, international agencies, rectors and presidents of UNAMAZ universities, entrepreneurs and key people on the development of projects related to the theme. The event also had presence of some important international and national agencies such as Pan-American Health Organization, and the Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology.

Issues discussed were:

• Activities on distance learning and telemedicine,
  
• Needs and available technology for distance learning and telemedicine,
  
• Discussion of projects under development and to be developed,
  
• Strategy for fund raising,
  
• Identification of new partners.

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6.6 Outcomes:

It was intended that the workshop would result in the establishment of cooperative arrangements for the delivery of distance learning courses and instruction among the participating institutions, including North American institutions. A plan for the development of Electronic Distance Learning (EDL) and Telemedicine in Amazonia was presented at the conference. Demonstrations of new low-cost EDL technologies was presented at the conference. Given the distances, population densities, and level of infrastructure development in the region, such technologies can be of enormous benefit to the peoples of Amazonia.

Specific outcomes of the workshop were:

• Formation of project/partnership teams,
  
• Direction for collaboratively furthering global electronic distance learning,
  
• Assessment of the technical capacity and infrastructure setup in Amazonia,
  
• Needs assessment and content for pilot projects,
  
• Enhancement of human and infrastructure capacity (whenever required),
  
• Organization and implementation of distance learning (DL) courses,
  
• Assessment of the effectiveness and sustainability of the approach established,
  
• Development of a wider program to broaden the utilization of DL to other sectors and specialties,
  
• Strategy of joint fund raising for the projects of implementing selected DL courses,
  
• Outline of next steps in formalizing DL structures,
  
• Fund raising strategies,
  
• Conference report for public dissemination.

The global broadband Internet infrastructure also provides exciting opportunities for distance/distributed learning. Discussions are well underway among conference participants regarding the development and dissemination of education for engineers, healthcare providers, emergency medical professionals, and primary and secondary teachers. Presentations included international representation and expertise in distance learning, telemedicine and technical issues related to broadband Internet and international connectivity.
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7. Next Step:

7.1 Brainstorming in Caracas, Venezuela:

The UNAMAZ board held just prior to our workshop in Manaus decided to establish centers of excellence at selected universities among its members, e.g., environment, healthcare, entrepreneurship, etc. The UNAMAZ’s next mtg will be held in Caracas, Venezuela from November 26 to 29, 2000. Our Global University System (GUS) was requested to help them to interconnect the centers with broadband Internet.

The deployment of broadband Internet requires substantial amount of effort and fund. For this, we have suggested them that this project should be enlarged to have interdisciplinary and multi-lateral participation of;

• UNAMAZ:
  A consortium of 77 universities in 8 Amazonian countries,
  
• PanAmerican Federation of Associations of Medical Schools:
  A consortium of 386 medical schools around Latin American and the Caribbean countries,
  
• Brazilian Association of Distance Learning:
  
• Distance learning universities in Latin America and the Caribbean:
  
• Pan American Health Organization:
  
• United Nations University of Peace in Costa Rica:
  
• Global University System:
  
• [Sir Arthur C.] Clark Institute for Telecommunication and Information (CITI).

We plan to hold a brainstorming meeting at this occasion in Caracas, Venezuela. The purpose is to finalize the draft of the fund raising application for the feasibility study of deploying and installing broadband Internet among selected universities in Latin American countries. The target areas on its use are distance learning and healthcare. The content development should also be considered for its effective use.
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7.2 University of Roraima:

The federal universities in Brazil will soon have the broadband (45 Mbps) Internet. It will come to the University of Roraima in Boa Vista (about one and a half hour flight from Manaus to north) via satellite from Sao Paulo to the EMBRATEL in Boa Vista, and microwaved to the university. It may be extended further to a nearby hospital with the use of a spread spectrum (2 to 10 Mbps) wireless approach.

As soon as there is the broadband Internet, a mini-workshop will be held at the university with the use of NetMeeting videoconferencing and Internet telephony. A similar telemedicine demonstration may also be held, but via the broadband Internet instead of ISDN. This will be a very unique demonstration of collaborative telemedicine with one of the world most advanced medical schools in the US and the world remotest corner in the middle of Amazon, yet utilizing the most advanced broadband Internet -- and most inexpensively.

As being the youngest among the Brazilian federal universities, the University of Roraima has a very unique privilege. Although there are several campuses in the middle of town, the university has a completely empty real estate of 560 acres in a plateau savanna outskirts of the town with a large lake and a nearby river.

Our Global University System was requested to be involved in formulating its vision as the future of the university, looking into a next millennium. The vision will then be articulated for designing the surroundings, environment and facilities for the world class educational and research institution.

It could be several campuses of theme-park style setting (e.g., environment, agriculture, healthcare, international study, etc.) with multimedia seminar and conference rooms with global connections where outreach students gather occasionally. The university should take into account of cherishing the special conditions in its locality, e.g., indigenous community and the Amazon jungle as the source of new pharmacology, etc.
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