C@ribNET, a US$20M regional broadband fibre optic network, will link tertiary institutions in eight CARICOM states next year as part of a regional research and education initiative.
CARICOM, in a statement, said C@ribNet is a research and education network that was introduced under the Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network Project (CKLN) to connect all regional tertiary institutions, research institutes and civil institutions engaged in knowledge formation.
The project, conceptualised as “a vehicle that would allow citizens, communities, governments, public officials, entrepreneurs and students to communicate, collaborate, form partnerships and harmonise activities across the region,” is being supported by the European Union and the Inter-American Development Bank.
According to CARICOM, Chief Executive Officer of CKLN, Ken Sylvester, in an update to the 20th Meeting of Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) on Tuesday, said that C@ribNET would help to “reduce the brain drain in the Caribbean by fostering the development and use of e-Learning platforms and technologies….” He outlined the design of the fibre-optic network which would connect all CARICOM member states in the first instance and subsequently the rest of the world.
Sylvester also told COHSOD that of the 20 countries to benefit from the CKLN-driven initiative, at least eight would be connected by the first quarter of 2011. CARICOM did not identify the eight states to be connected next year.
However, while all systems were seemingly in place to realise this vision, Sylvester pointed out that capacity building in members states was an important pre-requisite to launching the network in all targeted countries. In addition, he said that for CKLN to move ahead, it would have to be ratified as an Inter-Governmental Agency.
CKLN was established as a Foundation registered in Grenada under the oversight of CARICOM. Heads of Government had since mandated the CARICOM Secretariat to establish the CKLN as an Inter-Governmental Agency, replacing the CKLN Foundation.
Sylvester also noted that installation of the technological elements for C@ribNET could only start when at least seven member states ratify the agreement to establish CKLN and that the installation of equipment could only occur in countries that had ratified the Agreement. To date, nine member states have signed the agreement and three others have given firm commitments.
In light of this, the COHSOD reminded member states of the Mandate from the Heads and urged those who have not yet signed the agreement to do so as soon as possible so that CKLN could continue to realise the vision of one seamless tertiary system in a community for all.
