Bringing Students More Educational Opportunities

UNOPAR, the University of Northern Paraná, which showcased its winning distance learning offerings at Futurecom 2005 in São Paolo, will provide Hughes broadband satellite services to approximately 60,000 students enrolled in its Connected Presence Teaching System (CPTS) across 252 Brazilian municipalities. UNOPAR plans to have installations in 300 sites by the end of the year, including expansion into Argentina and Paraguay. In addition, four new simultaneous program generation classrooms will be offered beyond the three that already exist. The goal in 2006 is to have 150,000 distance learning students enrolled in its program.

“Hughes Network Systems Americas is especially proud of being selected by UNOPAR to join them in expanding high-quality education services throughout Brazil and the region. It’s an ideal example of how satellite broadband technology can bring broadband connectivity virtually anywhere, cost effectively, thereby closing the so-called digital divide,” said Delio Morais, president of Hughes Network Systems Americas (HNSA). “Distance learning will play a very important role in a country of continental size such as ours.”

Helping Teachers Build Credentials

Meanwhile, the Faculdade de Tecnologia e Ciências—Educação à Distância (FTC) is using Hughes broadband satellite service to deliver its teacher qualification program to 84 Brazilian municipalities, giving education students the chance to take classes in their own towns, and with the same quality as if they were in a state capital.

The FTC’s distance learning program is already benefiting 20,000 students who, in a thre-year period, will have complied with the Education Guideline and Base Law requirements that demand that all elementary school teachers hold higher education degrees. The institution is authorized by the Brazilian Education and Culture Department to offer nine courses: Biology, Natural Sciences, Physics, Geography, History, Letters, Mathematics, Teaching Licensing, and Chemistry.

Broadband satellite service from HNSA is providing high-speed Internet access, data and video transmissions, and voice over IP (VoIP). “We are very proud of having FTC as a customer for our e-Learning solutions. This project is of major importance to improve education and teaching in Brazil, especially outside the major urban centers,” said Fábio Riccetto, sales director for HNSA.