Title: The University of the West Indies satellite delivery system for continuing engineering education

Authors: Clement A.C. lmbert, Ashton J. Parris

Addresses: The University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago. ' The University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract: The University of the West Indies (UWI) serves 14 territories separated by ocean and spread over a geographical area of about 1500 km in radius. The region would be well served by distance education. In 1983 the University of the West Indies Distance Teaching Experiment (UWIDITE) was launched using satellite communications to link the territories. UWIDITE is mainly an interactive audio system with slow-scan TV, telewriting and computer link-up. In 1986 the Faculty of Engineering embarked on a program of full-motion video continuing engineering education and has since been a regular participant in live interactive video conferences, symposia and other activities via satellite. Previous papers have outlined experiences with satellite delivery of continuing engineering education in the West Indies and it was concluded that the Faculty of Engineering has a pivotal role to play in the development of greater use of satellites in CEE in the region and to serve as a pilot project for full motion video instruction for the University of the West Indies. The full-motion video satellite facilities at present allow for reception only of satellite signals in the C-band range of frequencies. This paper details a system which would allow for transmission as well as reception of both C- and Ku-band signals within the University of the West Indies, and other institutions regionally and internationally.

Keywords: satellite delivery; West Indies; distance teaching experiment; interactive audio systems; slow-scan TV; telewriting; videoconferencing; continuing engineering education; continuing education.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCEELL.1992.030396

International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, 1992 Vol.2 No.2/3/4, pp.200 - 206

Published online: 15 Dec 2009 *

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