With InterNet2, Indian Experts can interact with best in

WITH INTERNET2, INDIAN EXPERTS CAN INTERACT WITH BEST IN MEDICAL WORLD

In what is a major advancement in global medical education, the Government of India and ERNET, the research and education networking organisation of India, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Internet2 to facilitate advanced networking collaboration between the US and Indian research and education communities.

So on October 3, this Internet2 will be used for the first time when HIV/AIDS experts sitting at National AIDS Research Institute (NARI) or BJ Medical College (BJMC), will view a presentation on the varied aspects of the virus at the US-based Johns Hopkins Centre or the Johns Hopkins faculty can interact with clinicians thousands of miles away.

Dr R.S. Paranjape, Director of NARI, told The Indian Express that there were several applications of this high-tech Internet communication system that will be used for the first time on October 3 to link Johns Hopkins faculty with clinicians.

Internet2 is the foremost US advanced networking consortium that facilitates the development, deployment and use of revolutionary Internet technologies by bringing the US research and academic community together with technology leaders from the industry, government and the international community.

To highlight the inauguration of India's partnership with Internet2, the World Bank, ERNET, NARI, Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Centre for Clinical Global Health Education (CCGHE) will host an Indo-US advanced networking programme that will provide an enhanced platform for a unique educational exchange on HIV/AIDS.

On Tuesday, Johns Hopkins faculty members will use this technology to conduct an interactive clinical education programme on HIV/AIDS with leading health care professionals in India.

Typical bandwidth for standard Internet conferencing is 384 kilobits per second, but Internet2 operates at 2 megabits per second. The higher bandwidth allows for better resolution and permits faculty to utilise complex imaging techniques, such as manipulating 3-D MRI images.

The programme, running from 5.30-7.30 p.m. in India, would link HIV/AIDS faculty experts from India and Johns Hopkins using high-resolution, multipoint video conferencing, digital microscopy, 3-D imaging and other, unique e-learning tools, Paranjape said.

Participants will be in four locations at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, the World Bank in Washington, D.C, Capital Technology Information Services in Gaithersburg, Maryland, National AIDS Research Institute in Pune, BJ Medical College in Pune, and the Education and Research Network in New Delhi, India.

The presentations on Pathology of HIV-Associated Diseases, HIV/AIDS Neurological Complications, HIV Drug Resistance and others will be followed by discussions by high-level AIDS experts in India. A Web broadcast also will be available for viewing by standard Internet connection at http://codian.oar.net

Source: Indian Express