1. Knowledge and Learning Network
Caribbean
Knowledge and Learning Network
To enhance global competitiveness by upgrading and diversifying the skills and knowledge of human resources in the region through greater regional collaboration and connectivity.
Kick-off Workshop
Grenada
February 18th / 19th 2004

2. Issues
Mismatch between needs of the labor market and what is being delivered by TEIs
Lack of partnership among TEIs limits regional integration and leads to duplication
Scare financing capacity and ability to attract and retain skilled teachers limits expansion of tertiary education and adoption of innovative approaches
Adherence to traditional academic models
High cost of connectivity constrains knowledge sharing and the development of ICT-enabled enterprises and services
The competitiveness and relevance of much tertiary education can be challenged, as there is often a mismatch between what the labor market wants and the programs that are being taught. In many countries employers are not involved in advising on curriculum content or in institutional governance. The learning process is also frequently unchallenging and traditional in its use of resources. A limiting factor is the low qualifications and skills of teachers in the sector which also affect the institutions’ ability to develop new disciplines.
The relationship between countries’ educational strategies and the plans adopted by tertiary institutions. Most institutions are offering a broad range of courses which have not been prioritized to match their country’s national strategies There is also a substantial unmet demand for tertiary education that is not being met by institutions and most governments are unable to fund the required expansion of the institutions.
The need for regional integration and partnerships between institutions is emphasized by the policies endorsing circulation of skilled labor and the development of common certification and standards. This makes the creation of a regional Accreditation Agency all the more urgent. Initiatives of this kind are often affected by the shortage of resources to fund regional collaboration.
The financing of tertiary education is very traditional as it is almost entirely based on state funds with little private sector contribution or cost sharing through tuition fees. The State has usually restricted its funding to recurrent operations leaving a gap as regards capital projects. The ways in which recurrent funds are allocated usually provide no incentive to be efficient or innovative and the absence of clear funding formulae is inequitable to the institutions.
The telecommunications sector in the Caribbean is still dominated by one monopoly provider which has maintained unacceptably high prices for educational users; these have limited access to the internet and made educational links with international tertiary partners very expensive. This thwarts any attempts to collaborate and achieve economies of scale through the use of technology or to create regional networks for sharing information. UWI’s distance learning provision has been unable to adopt universally accepted web-based technology.

3. Solution requires a comprehensive approach
Removal of constraints to development of high quality tertiary education in areas of strategic importance
Improved planning capacity and autonomy in tertiary education institutions
Partnering by TEIs to foster specialization and excellence in key disciplines and responding to labor market needs
Lowered cost of connectivity and networking to remove constraints of distance and size in small island states
Strengthening of core common services (e.g Accreditation, curriculum development, financial mech.)
Comprehensive approach needed which removes constraints to development of high quality tertiary education in strategic areas
Partnering by TLIs to foster specialization and excellence in key disciplines and integration w/labor market
Improved planning capacity and autonomy in tertiary level institutions (TLIs)
Lowered cost of connectivity and networking to remove constraints of distance and size in small island states
Strengthening of core common services (e.g Accreditation)

4. The Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network is about…
Yr 1
Yr 2
Yr 3
Yr 4
Yr 5 I.
Strengthening the TEIs
II.
Component
Establishing the Knowledge and Learning Network
III.
Building Capacity at Regional Level
Investment
Trigger
…this workshop defines these stages

5. Delivering Low-cost
Connectivity to the
Caribbean
E-Links Americas initiative launched by the Institute for Connectivity in the Americas (ICA) which uses economies of scale to pass on low cost connectivity for social development
Inclusion of entire CARICOM region brings:
Bandwidth economies of scale (+/-50 sites – includes UWIDEC)
Richness of content sources
A marginal incremental cost per additional site

6. E-Link Pricing (provisional)
Investment
Equipment kit (dish, modem, wi-fi, cables) $
Computer labs ($0 - $30,000)
Network will bring affordable (est. $ /month/site)….
Connectivity (256kbps-2Mbps – 2-way)
E-learning and Learning Management
Knowledge networking (internet, , collaborative tools)
Student Administration
Videoconferencing

7. Network Operations Center
E-Links Americas
Telecenters
Network Operations Center
Local Government
Wide Area Coverage
Satellite IP Network
Universities and Colleges
Schools
Healthcare

8. Ku-band
E-Links Americas
DVB-RCS
Wireless
Transmitter
Campus

9. What will the institutions gain?
Once connected, each center will be able to develop specialization in particular disciplines and offer it to the other members of the network via e-learning
e.g. instead of a class of 30 students, the course could reach 300+
Access to global and regional knowledge
Faculty peer networks via videoconferencing
Serving the community via continuing education

10. What disciplines for the pilot?
Combination of Connectivity plus Reach will increase access and viability of region-wide programs in key areas. This should encourage Specialization with Quality
IT/ICTs
Financial Services/Banking
Hospitality
Public Administration
Teacher Training

11. Principal’s of TE’s Institutions OERU / St. Kitts
Status of the Project
Phase VI
Endorsement
June
OECS Ministers of Education
October 8-10,
2003
CARICOM Meeting - COHSOD
-> PM Mitchell to chair
Steering Group
October 21-22, 2003
Principal’s of TE’s Institutions OERU / St. Kitts
Phase VII
Pre- Implementation
Kick-off
Workshop
February 2004
OAS Project
Project Working Group
Finalize the budget and financing;
Put in place the final institutional framework and Project Implementation Unit
Define the priority educational programs; and
Develop the implementation plan.
Sept 2004
Implementation

12. Objectives for the Workshop
Achieve common vision of CKLN
Define Action Plan to address key issues
Assign roles and responsibilities
Define message for policy-makers
Align Donors around project objectives