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Australia-Canada Universities Collaborate via Research Networks

January 12, 2004 Linking the Land Down Under University of Lethbridge Uses Research Network to Broaden Academic Experiences The University of Lethbridge has completed its first year of successful tests to use Alberta’s research network Netera and Canada’s CA*net 4 in bringing experts from around the world into its southern Alberta classrooms. University of Lethbridge used an interdisciplinary class called Globalization Studies - a course that presents historical transformations over five centuries producing the current human condition - to bring in guest speakers from all over the world. In addition to videoconferences with institutions across Canada, course leader Dr Anthony Hall established an international collaboration with the Australia National University in Canberra, Australia. Hall and an Australian colleague linked the two universities, offering guest speakers from both institutions. Almost 50 people participated at the Lethbridge location. “NeteraNet was essential in this videoconference project,” says Dave Hinger, multimedia and courseware developer for the University of Lethbridge. “The network allowed us to conduct an inexpensive videoconference that has greatly enhanced a classroom experience. If this conference had to be done over ISDN, funding may not have been available to cover the long distance costs.” The speed of the test connection delivered excellent performance for a trans-pacific connection at two megabits per second, for over an hour, with no delays. The actual class connection ran at one megabit per second for the duration of a three-hour class, without any audio or video problems or delays. In July, NeteraNet upgraded its connection to Lethbridge from 40 Mbps to 622 Mbps. Lethbridge is now connected directly to the Calgary GigaPOP, which provides direct access to CA*net4 and international research networks. “This Australia connection has created a great new relationship between the technical and curriculum development staff at the two universities,” says Hinger. “This relationship has already developed into collaboration and support from Australia National University in the setting up of Lethbridge’s new and future Access Grid nodes. It may also lead to future collaboration between the University of Lethbridge and ANU, and will provide the foundation for many other international collaborations.” In 2004, both one-time and ongoing international videoconferencing is planned. In addition to bringing in colleagues for special presentations or classes, a Lethbridge researcher moving to Europe for the year plans to use the videoconference classroom to collaborate regularly with colleagues in Alberta. International connections have improved considerably in recent years. The new Trans Pacific Optical Research Test bed (SX TransPORT) will increase the research network bandwidth from North America to Australia by a factor of sixteen, opening up the possibility of ultra-broadband data exchanges between these continents. For more technical information, see the SX TransPORT network diagram at www.aarnet.edu.au/news/international.jpg or a news release from the AARNet Australian research network organization at www.aarnet.edu.au/news/sxtransport.html Contact: Tara Richards tara @ netera.ca To subscribe or unsubscribe to the CANARIE-NEWS list please send e-mail to: majordomo @ canarie.ca In the body of the e-mail: subscribe news end