Aida Aidakyeva, iss a media and communication specialist from
Kyrgyzstan. She received her Master's degree from Ohio University, School of Media Arts and Studies (formerly the School of Telecommunications)
in 2003. Today she works for the Swiss Cooperation Office in Kyrgyzstan and also teaches broadcast journalism at the American University in
Central Asia (AUCA).
Read Aidakyeva's article.
Masudul Biswas, was a Master's Student in International Affairs majoring in
Communication and Development Studies at Ohio University. Before coming to Ohio University, Masudul had been a journalist and a university
lecturer in Bangladesh. He has a Master's Degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Dhaka. He is interested in
policy and application aspects of telecommunications, especially use of media for social change. Masudul has completed an internship
with Internews Network, a media development organization based in California.
Read Biswas' article.
Jose Calderoni, lives in Mexico City. He is an independent consultant
in modernization of education and foreign trade. Originally an Economist, he got his MBA from Michigan State University and has been a
private businessman, a Mexican Diplomat stationed mainly in Europe, a civil servant to several areas of the Mexican Federal Government,
a banker, and a University Professor.
Read Calderoni's article.
Hala Ibrahim, was a Ph.D. student at Ohio University in the School of
Media Arts and Studies (formerly the School of Telecommunications), from Sudan. She received BS in Electrical Engineering from University
of Khartoum and MA in Communication and Development studies and Media in Cultural Studies from Ohio University. She worked with both the
civil society and business sector in Sudan. Her interests include communication for development with special emphasis on Africa.
Read Ibrahim's article.
Dr. Sanjay Jasola, is an accomplished Computer Science Academician and an expert in the IT and networking infrastructure aspect of elearning / online education. Presently he is working as Professor and Dean, School of Information and Communication Technology, Gautam Buddha University, Greater Noida, Delhi NCR, India. He has served as Associate Professor at School of Science and Technology, Wawasan Open University, Penang, Malaysia from Feb 2007 to Feb 2009. He received a Bachelor's of Technology degree in Computer Science and Engineering from Kamla Nehru Institute of Technology, Sultanpur, India and Master of Technology in Computer Science and Technology from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee. He received Ph.D in Computer Science from School of Computer and System Sciences from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India.
His lectures on Computer Sciences are telecasted over Doordarshan and his several talks on IT related topics have been broadcasted on All India Radio. He has worked as deputy director at computer division of Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi where he was instrumental in establishing a satellite based network (Edusat). He was given the gold medal by IGNOU for innovation in Open and distance learning. He is fellow of IETE, and life member of IE, CSI and ISTE in India. He has delivered keynote addresses at several national and international conferences. He has published research papers in several International and National Journals. His research interest includes wireless networking, mobile communication, computer architecture and use of mobile and satellite technology in distance education.
Dr. R. C. Sharma, holds a PhD in Education in the area of Educational Technology
and is currently the Director of Distance Education at the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education under the auspices of Commonwealth Fund for
Technical Cooperation, United Kingdom, London at the University of Guyana, Georgetown. He has worked with Indira Gandhi National Open University
(IGNOU) and has been a teacher trainer and has taught Educational Technology, Educational Research and Statistics, Educational Measurement and
Evaluation, Special Education, Psychodynamics of Mental Health Courses. He has conducted many Human Development training programmes for the in -
and pre-service teachers. He had established a Centre of ICT in the College he was working. He is a member of many committees on implementation of
technology in the Open University. His areas of specialization include staff development, on-line learning, student support services in open and
distance learning, and teacher education.
Dr. Sharma is the co-Editor of 'Asian Journal of Distance Education' ISSN 1347-9008, (www.ASIANJDE.org). In addition to these, he is/has been on the Editorial Advisory Board of "International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning", online journal published by Athabasca University, Canada, www.irrodl.org, "Distance Education", "Indian Journal of Open Learning" published by IGNOU, and "International Journal of Distance Education Technologies" published by IGI-Global, USA. He has co-authored a book on DISTANCE EDUCATION RESEARCH, co-edited a book entitled "Interactive Multimedia in Education and Training" and "Cases on Global E-Learning Practices: Successes and Pitfalls" (Co-Editor Dr Sanjaya Mishra, both from Idea Group, USA). He is also an Advisory Board Member and author for the "Encyclopedia of Distance Learning" (four-volume set) released by Idea Group Publishing. His latest edited book entitled, "Ethical Practices and Implications in Distance Learning" (2008) (Co-editor Prof Ugur Demiray) has been published from IGI-Global, USA.
Read Jasola & Sharma's article.
Dr. Abdul Waheed Khan, is Assistant Director-General for Communication and
Information at UNESCO in Paris since July 2001. He oversees UNESCO's programmes and activities in communication and information, strategic
planning for ICT interventions in development, and fostering digital opportunities for social and economic inclusion. Dr. Khan served as
Vice-Chancellor (President and CEO) at the Indira Gandhi National Open University from 1998 to 2000. He was responsible for the management
of a knowledge network comprising a consortium of 72 universities. He was also Chairman of the Distance Education Council in India. Dr. Khan
holds a Ph.D. in Mass Communication (1973) and a Masters in Agricultural Journalism (1970) from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA,
and a Masters in Agricultural Extension (1965) from Agra University (India).
Read Khan's article.
K. P. Madhu, is Programme Manager at Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting
Development, based in Kuala Lumpur. He has worked as Joint Director at Consortium for Educational Communication, New Delhi, facilitating
and co-ordinating educational television programmes for Countrywide Classroom for 7 years and oversaw its transition from slots on national
television to the formation of an exclusive channel for undergraduate education in India. He started out as a freelance science journalist
in 1978 and switched to television in '82. He has scripted, directed, edited and produced many TV programmes before taking up managerial
positions in private and government owned media. He is passionate about teaching and training.
Read Madhu's article.
Yioryos Nardis, was a graduate student from Cyprus in Ohio University's
Telecommunications Master's Program (currently School of Media Arts and Studies) with an interest in international communications and
emerging consumer satellite communication services. He is currently employed at the Press and Information Office of the Embassy of Cyprus
in Washington, D.C.
Read Nardis' article.
Dr. S. Rangarajan, is a Senior Vice President at the WorldSpace
Satellite Radio, and is responsible for the development of Data Solutions. One of these developments is for the synchronous,
instructor-led virtual classroom, called Combined Live Audio & Slide Show (CLASS), with as little as 16 kbps data rate from the
satellite. Most recently, he was involved in the development of a new system for CAP-compliant all hazards alert information delivery
through addressable satellite radio. Earlier he was the Program Director of INSAT at the Indian Space Research Organization and supported
various satellite-based applications. He took his Ph.D. from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bombay. His interests include
teaching at various levels.
Read Dr. Rangarajan's article.
Taksin Uppalakom, started his profession in Satellite industries at
Shin Satellite in 1997, designing the Analog TV and DVB broadcasting system for Thaicom's clients, and was one of the pioneers bringing
IP communication over satellite to commercial. He currently holds the position of IPSTAR Product Manager at Shin Satellite, base in Bangkok,
Thailand and also the Consulting Director of Stormways limited.
Read Uppalakom's article.
Tom Wang, is CTO of China Education Television. Born in 1966, he has a
bachelor's degree in computer software from Nankai University and an MBA from Fordham University in America. His work experience
includes software programming, book publishing, IT product development (concerning GPS series and PDA), business management, and
research and development of applied systems relating to new media such as digital TV, IPTV, cellphone and TV. His work focuses on
engineering referring to education via broadcast satellite. Currently he is a director of the Association of China Computer Users,
a director of China Radio and TV Association and a director of China Satellite Communication, Association of Radio and TV Users.
Read Wang's article.
Dr. Philip Westfall, is on the staff of the Air Force Institute
for Advanced Distributed Learning where he serves as the director of the Air Technology Network Program Management Office, located
at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Phil developed the Air Technology Network (ATN), an interactive television (ITV) network,
which reaches over 270 Air Force receive sites (including bases in Eurasia) through a satellite uplink that is terrestrially linked
to 12 broadcast studios. His pioneering efforts led to the establishment of an interagency ITV network, which he named the Government
Education & Training Network (GETN), a network of 12 uplinks used by 19 government agencies reaching over 2,300 receive sites.
Phil is Chairman Emeritus of the Board and formerly President of the United States Distance Learning Association, and former president (and co-founder) of the Federal Government Distance Learning Association. He is on the Editorial Board of the American Journal of Distance Education, the Board of Advisors of the Chief Learning Officer magazine, and on the Board of Advisors of Satellite Application Conference & Expo (SATCON).
Read Westfall's article.
Dr. Jolly T. Holden, is an e-learning consultant and Associate with
the Enliten Management Group. He also serves as an Adjunct Faculty to the American InterContinental University Online Master's of
Education degree program in Instructional Technology. Upon receiving his Doctorate in Education from the University of Southern
California in 1984, he became Chief of the Evaluation and Technology Branch and Graduate Education Program Manager for the Air Force
Institute of Technology until his retirement from the Air Force. For the past 12 years, he has been actively involved in researching
and promoting distance learning throughout the federal government and corporate community. He is currently on the Board of Directors
and the Executive Committee of the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA).
Read Holden & Westfall's article.
Jian Yan, got both his bachelor degree and master degree in electronic engineering
from Department of Electronic and Engineering at Tsinghua University. He is faculty in the Department of Electronic and Engineering at
Tsinghua University. His work focuses on satellite communication and distance learning.
Read Yan's article.
The Role of Satellites in Distance Education
Spring 2007
Historical Perspectives
Current Developments
Context for Satellite Use
Contributors
