In partnership with Dr. Tak Utsumi of GLOSAS and Mr. Ben Haraguchi of the Foundation to Support the United Nations, the BTC recently had the honor of participating in the Emerging Global Electronic Distance Learning (EGEDL) Conference held at the University of Tampere in Finland. The purpose of the EGEDL Conference was to establish the Global University Project.

The Global University will bring together decision-makers from under- served countries and leaders in distance learning and telemedicine to discuss practical solutions for the implementation of affordable global electronic distance learning across national boundaries. The international interactive workshop included practical workshops, discussions and demonstrations. Participants drafted funding proposals to establish global broadband Internet in three major global regions: in Pacific/Asia, North/South America and Europe/Africa.

The demands for distance learning and tele-health capabilities are great. People recognize that access to education and resources through telecommunications will allow them to maintain communities that are competitive and economically viable. In spite of its exciting promise and economical advantage, distance education technology has difficulty reaching those who need it most in rural areas. Challenges to effectively utilizing this opportunity include lack of technical infrastructure, political unrest, excessive costs, lack of skills, and forming collaborative partnerships for establishing successful pilot programs.

The BTC was represented at the conference by Kim Obbink; Matt Raymond, Communications Director for Senator Conrad Burns; Jack Hyyppa of MSU/KUSM Public Television; and Nels Sanddal of the Critical Illness and Trauma Foundation. Ms. Obbink and Mr. Sanddal conducted a presentation at the conference on Montana test-bed applications for global distance learning and demonstrated a real-time IP video conference using the new Internet 2 connectivity from Finland to the BTC. Touch America was integral to completion of the Internet 2 connection and the success of the demonstration. In addition to conference representation, the BTC offered support by obtaining a $40,000 grant from The National Science Foundation (NSF) to support American participation. The BTC will provide NSF with a report on conference activities and recommendations. BTC follow-up activities include ongoing discussions with the project leaders, identification of partners and content for pilot programs, and preparations for a working meeting of the Pacific/Asia partnership to be held in Tokyo next spring.