Today, distance education is recognized worldwide as a vital component to maintaining a strong, well-trained workforce, as well as the ideal medium to connect schools in remote areas. That’s why governments around the world are leveraging the benefits of Hughes Distance Learning Solutions to cost-effectively deliver education to virtual classrooms in multiple locations.

Hughes Distance Learning Solutions employ broadband satellite technology and/or digital media to deliver interactive video and audio programs to virtual classrooms. Live student/ teacher interaction is supported via high-performance viewer response systems, including audio conferencing and integrated voice and data response.

Taking the Classroom to the Student

For example, in the U.S., Hughes provides broadband satellite services to the Government Education and Training Network (GETN), a group of U.S. federal agencies that uses a common satellite carrier for an interoperable network for distance learning. The City University ,of New York employs the Hughes Learning Portal to train its city workers to handle disasters.

Meanwhile, in Europe, oil giant BP is using Hughes eLearning to train its employees in several countries. In India, Hughes Communications, India, Ltd. (HCIL) helps connect the Edusat network, a government-based project that spans 14 states, while HughesNet® Fusion Centers provide students the opportunity to attend India’s top universities without leaving their home villages. And in Brazil, schools and universities contract with Hughes do Brasil to deliver educational programming via Hughes broadband satellite service.

Leadership in Distance Learning

As a global provider of training and learning solutions for more than a decade, Hughes is continually expanding its offerings, including live, on-demand, interactive, and non-interactive options. HughesONTM MediaTraining offers a range of services, including the Hughes Learning Portal, which delivers rich-media training via the Internet; Hughes Virtual Classroom, a highly secure video-based learning system; and Hughes Video-on- Demand, a system that minimizes demand on the WAN, while providing students a robust viewing experience.

The company recently received the U.S. Federal Government Distance Learning Association’s (FGDLA) Pillar Award, given to an individual and organization not affiliated with the federal government, in recognition of outstanding service or significant contribution to the FGDLA.

Mike Tippets, vice president of Hughes Solutions Group, was recognized for his service in support of distance learning in the federal government over the last decade. FGDLA specifically called out his continued and dedicated support of the Association and its members through his work as Chair for both the Advisory Board and the Marketing and Business Development Committee.

“The FGDLA and its members are vision- aries who have led the federal government to where it is today—implementing distance learning programs, technologies, and capabilities that few would have thought possible a decade ago,” said Tippets. “It is an honor to serve FGDLA and to receive this award from my peers.”

In addition, the Hughes Government Solutions Group was recognized for demonstrating leadership in the development of emerging distance learning technologies for enterprise-wide solutions to the federal government.

Tony Bardo, assistant vice president for Government Solutions at Hughes, added, “By realizing the substantial benefits of satellite communications, FGDLA members have positioned themselves as leaders in the federal network community for continued successful implementation of distance learning applications.”

Making a Difference

Hughes broadband satellite technology and digital media solutions are making a difference in education, delivering distance learning around the world—and enabling a more educated citizenry to better compete in the global marketplace.