Accessing information from around the world is easier than it was 50 years ago, and today it became even easier for Prince Edward Islanders. With three new projects approved under the umbrella of the Knowledge Economy Partnership (KEP), Island students, educators, and the public will be more "connected" than ever.
Today, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Secretary of State (Veterans) (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency) and the Honourable Pat Binns, Premier of Prince Edward Island, announced over $2.8 million in funding for an Education Communication Technology Project, an Integrated Knowledge Network (IKN) and the Prince Edward Island Science and Technology Awareness Site (STAS).
"These three projects strongly demonstrate the goals of the partnership," said Secretary MacAulay. "They will provide better and faster services to the public, increase the information technology skills of Islanders and stimulate job creation in knowledge-based industries."
The Education Communication Technology Project is the largest of the three projects, with total funding amounting to almost $2.75 million. The network will link all 65 public school and 24 public library sites to one another and to the Internet.
"This network will provide all 28,000 students and teachers in Prince Edward Island with access to electronic mail and the World Wide Web," explained Premier Binns. "These three projects are part of a concerted effort to make Prince Edward Island a leader in the education, information and technology fields."
The Provincial Library Council will undertake the second project announced today. The council will research the benefits and opportunities of establishing an Integrated Knowledge Network (IKN). The IKN would provide coordinated access to services, programs and resources in academic, school, public and special libraries, resulting in strengthened library and information services for all Islanders.
The third project announced today will be undertaken by the University of Prince Edward Island. This project will see the creation of a unique bilingual Science and Technology Awareness Site (STAS). The STAS will help increase science literacy and awareness within PEI by making related information available to the education system, communities, individuals and businesses through the World Wide Web. The STAS will build on the backbone infrastructure of the PEI Broadband Network announced last week.
Premier Binns and Secretary MacAulay both emphasized the importance of these and other projects under the umbrella of the Knowledge Economy Partnership, saying each project builds upon the other to enhance economic development, skills development and the delivery of services in Prince Edward Island.
For more information, contact Lynne Sherren, ACOA, (902) 566-7008; or Sheri Coles, Enterprise PEI, (902) 368-6326.