EU funds for optical connectivity in education and research
Ljubljana, 2 July 2014 – Government Office for Development and European Cohesion Policy, acting as the Managing Authority for EU Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund, issued a grant award decision for the project “Establishing optical connectivity for education and research institutes”, which will provide ultrafast (multi-gigabyte) connectivity for organisations within the joint closed network Arnes. This represents a high-performance, long-term and stable solution in the field of information and communication and establishment of the key conditions for international competitiveness of the Slovenian education system and research sector. The value of the project amounts to 14.7 million euros of which the European Regional Development Fund contribution amounts to nearly 12.5 million euros.
Using information and communication technology in research and education does not only pertain to its application but also means that such technology is integrated into all the main elements of the research and education processes. Adequate connectivity with national and subnational research and education networks is a key condition to successfully introduce new IT technologies and new works methods. Depending on the needs and foreseen development of research organisations, IT connectivity can be established through a higher-performing optical fibre infrastructure.
The project will support the purchase of optical fibres and the equipment required by the organisation to connect to the Slovenian education and research optical network.
The project aims to address the lack of optical connections between research and education organisations which prove necessary for their operation. By setting up the optical network the research and education organisations will enhance their international competitiveness and introduce new work methods as well as partake in international projects and development.
More information is available at the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport, acting as the Intermediate Body responsible for the implementation of the project.
