Global (electronic) University (GU) (TM) consortium seeks to improve the quality and availability of international educational exchange through the use of telecommunication and information technologies. GU's main activity is to achieve global electronic education across national boundaries by developing a cooperative infrastructure and by bringing the powers and resources of telecommunications to ordinary citizens around the world. Another goal of GU is to empower under-served people of the Third World, who crave knowledge, wherever they are, by giving them access to the educational excellence available from all the world's finest sources, so as to enlarge and expand the present exchange of educational courses into a worldwide system. Students could access the resources with a far greater variety of educational philoso- phies, courses and instructional styles than they could ever encounter on a single campus. This is "the 21st century version of Fulbright exchange program."
Over the past two decades GLOSAS/USA played a major role in making possible the extension of the U.S. data communication networks to other countries, particularly to Japan. GLOSAS has also conducted a number of "Global Lecture Hall" (GLH) (TM) videoconferences employing inexpensive media accessible to the less developed countries. These demonstrations have helped build a network of leaders in the global electronic distance education movement. International associates of GLOSAS are currently working on the establishment of Global Pacific University (GPU), Global Latin American University (GLAU) and Global European University (GEU). GLOSAS is currently establishing an electronic distance education system (EDES) for Russia, with the Association of International Education (AIE), which was recently established by the Ministry of Science, Higher Education and Technology Policy of the Russian Federation and GLOSAS/USA. GU/USA has already gained wide support of prominent educational institutions as well as information technology specialists and industry. GLOSAS has also received inquiries and proposals from many countries, making this an international project to help Russia and, later, other ex-communist countries. Once in place, EDES will later become the Russian Electronic University, a part of the Global University system.
GLOSAS is also forging ahead to develop a one-to-many receive-only multimedia system which can receive American education via inexpensive Direct Broadcasting Satellites (DBS). The system will allow transmission of voice, color video, and data over an inexpensive voice grade channel. Video of an instructor, handwriting in color on an electronic white board, image/graphic with annotation, dynamic graphic presentation by real-time execution of an application program/simulation model, etc., can be seen in windows on computer screen. The system will be a "Multimedia of America," (TM) -- similar to a short-wave receiver for "Voice of America." Yet these experiences can include high levels of interaction and feedback (via electronic conferencing) amongst students and instructors. In not so distant future, students in any remote locations with laptop computers can receive those courses from America (later from any other countries), and they can earn degrees from the Global University. On the other hand, teachers Global (electronic) University is an evolutionary concept with no global precedent. GU attempts to provide cooperative, experiential learning opportunities on the widest possible scale and for the purpose of fostering peace and sustainable development. The time is ripe for global education. Technology is now available. What we need now are people who are eager to face the challenges of our time and to forge ahead toward the 21st century education.
************************************************************************ Takeshi Utsumi, Ph.D. President, Global University in the U.S.A. (GU/USA) A Divisional Activity of GLOSAS/USA (GLObal Systems Analysis and Simulation Association in the U.S.A.) 43-23 Colden Street, Flushing, NY 11355-3998, U.S.A. Tel: 718-939-0928; Fax: 718-939-0656 (day time only--prefer email) SprintMail: TUTSUMI/GU.USA/ASSOCIATES.TNET * INTERNET: utsumi@columbia.edu ************************************************************************