Frontiir recently announced the inauguration of the University Digital Network (UniNet) at the Yangon Technological University. Based on high-performing and cost-effective Wi-Fi-based access and backhaul networking technologies, the University Digital Network (UniNet) solution will ensure connectivity within a university in addition to providing interconnectivity between several local universities. Above all, UniNet will connect these local university campuses with global education communities.
Celebrations for the event began with a ribbon cutting ceremony and the Yangon Region Chief Minister U Myint Swe led the proceedings. Other attendees included Deputy Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr. Zaw Min Aung, and Deputy Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology U Thaung Tin.
Professor Carl V. Thompson from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology was also present at the event. This is the first time after 1950 that MIT (News - Alert) was represented at the YTU. During the 1950s, MIT sent faculty for the first time to help improve engineering education at the university. There was also talk about setting up a collaborative initiative between MIT and YTU for driving YTU's academic programs. A seminar attended by teachers and students from computer and technological universities was also organized in support of this potential collaboration.
UniNet uses advance technology to mitigate challenges faced within the education sector. The company not only funded, but also implemented the UniNet solution in a three phase program. In the first phase, a campus-wide Wi-Fi network spanning indoor classrooms and labs, and outdoor locations covering 10 acres at the UCSY (Bahan) was established. In the second phase, all the required core IT infrastructure on campus was implemented and in the third phase high-speed inter-campus wireless network between UCSY (Bahan), ICTTI (Hlaing) and YTU was established.
Benefits that the infrastructure offers include – advanced knowledge sharing, online education and collaboration capabilities between universities; robust connectivity of YTU with leading global education institutions for utilization of their existing online education programs for driving engineering education in Myanmar; and providing of online lessons by elite groups of teachers via UniNet to a larger number of students at rural universities that are under-staffed.
Edited by Brooke Neuman