The Caribbean Research and Education Network, CaribNet, a broadband fibre optic network constructed by regional telecommunications company LIME, was officially launched in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, on 26 February.
CaribNet, which is managed by the Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network, connects tertiary institutions, schools, hospitals and other educational establishments to knowledge development and research platforms paving the way for enhanced interconnectivity and collaboration among Caribbean states.
The European Union funded network, which cost $10 million, serves about 26 million people, in 21 islands, who benefit from cost-effective access to high quality e-learning content and other knowledge resources from the region and around the world.
The network is connected to the world’s research and education community through AMPATH to North America, Geant to Europe and RedCLARA to Latin America.
“CaribNet is a project that’s been long in coming in terms of the scope that it has for the Caribbean,” said Chris Dehring, chief commercial officer with LIME Caribbean.
Dehring said CaribNET has the potential to promote economic growth throughout the region and called for government and private sector support to ensure the network realises its full potential.
“More focus is needed if education is going to be the key to unlock the potential of this region, particularly in the creative industry. We are an exceptionally creative people from an economical and commercial perspective,” he said.
“The private sector needs to get involved because at the end of the day, the private sector is which benefits the most from these types of networks. It’s an ecosystem and government and every member of that ecosystem have a part to play,” he added.
Noting that only “about 26 per cent” of Caribbean nationals have high speed broadband Internet connectivity, Dehring said there was also need for better collaboration.
“When you compare it to North America and Europe, which is up in the 70s and 80s, you can’t help but think that the low penetration of Internet is part of the reason we are not progressing economically as we should,” he stated. “What that also speaks to is the affordability of broadband. We need to address this.”
The launch brought together regional stakeholders, sponsors and representatives of the Caribbean National Research and Education Networks, leadership from the academic and research community, the Caribbean Community government, as well as representatives from international partners in Africa, North America, Latin America and Europe.
Professor Emeritus Errol Miller said the launch of CaribNET is a step in the right direction as it would serve to better connect like-minded people across the Caribbean without them having to leave their respective islands.
“I see collaboration and connection in learning involving students and teachers and principals in schools, in urban and rural areas within their countries, in other islands, between colleges and across the region,” Professor Miller said. “I see CaribNET as a platform of connection of Caribbean people who in their formative years will particularly use the virtual online space to form inter-island friendships and cross country study groups … I see the conveying of Caribbean consciousness and Caribbean civilisation and culture.”
CARICOM mandated the establishment of CaribNET to be coordinated and managed by the Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network – a regional organisation established in 2012 to provide access to affordable digital technologies for building academic training, research and innovation, diversity and global engagement.
CaribNet, which is managed by the Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network, connects tertiary institutions, schools, hospitals and other educational establishments to knowledge development and research platforms paving the way for enhanced interconnectivity and collaboration among Caribbean states.
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