 |
|
VANCOUVER – The provincial government is investing $3.15
million to enhance the BCNET advanced research data network and connect it to
Simon Fraser University in Surrey, Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops and
the University of British Columbia Okanagan in Kelowna.
BCNET’s Optical Regional Advanced Network is a
critical piece of infrastructure for many research and education projects
across B.C. The technology is used in projects such as the UBC medical
expansion program that requires the optical networks to deliver courses,
disseminate materials and foster professor-student interaction among Vancouver,
Victoria and Prince George campuses.
“In addition to enhancing the high-speed links
between Vancouver and Victoria and between Vancouver and Prince George, BCNET
will establish transit exchanges in Kamloops, Kelowna and Surrey and link them
with Vancouver to support the new university campuses in those locations,” said
Advanced Education Minister Ida Chong. “Connecting the three new campuses to
the network will allow our institutions to build on B.C.’s reputation for
innovative research.”
“Researchers
and educators at our provincial higher learning institutes require advanced
communications networks to successfully complete major research projects,” said
BCNET president Michael Hrybyk. “Enhancing and expanding our advanced networks
will improve B.C.’s research and education productivity and improve
collaboration with researchers around the world.”
The enhancement will build the next generation
high-speed dedicated optical fibre connection called lightpaths to all major
research institutes. This dedicated optical fibre can transmit massive
quantities of data and enable interconnection of such tools as scientific
equipment, instruments, sensors and databases.
The network was created in 2001, and connected the campuses of UBC, the University of Victoria, Simon Fraser University, the University of Northern British Columbia and the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Over the past three years, Royal Roads University, the National Research Council Herzberg Institute, Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design and the provincial government’s SPAN-BC network have also been connected to BCNET.
-30-
|
contact: |
Communications Director Ministry of Advanced Education 250 952-6508 Cell: 250 213-1171 |
|
|
|
||
|
Visit the Province's website at www.gov.bc.ca for online information and services. |
||
