Evaluation report : the satellite communication program of the University of the South Pacific

Special evaluation covers the period 1978-3/84 and is based on USP site visits and interviews. Due to staffing and implementation problems, the communications system has become fully operational only in the past year. Nevertheless, the project has increased the number of pre-diploma students with access to satellite tutorials at USP's national extension centers; in 1983, one-half of USP's satellite time was used for tutorials covering 29 subjects. The satellite system has also been used for educational support activities, weekly meetings of extension center staff, agricultural research round-tables, dissemination of information to development personnel (especially through audioconferencing), and routine computer messaging. While satellite-related functions have been well integrated into regular extension operations, understaffing remains a problem. Other problems persist: students' lack of access to the extension centers has caused erratic attendance; development outreach coordination has seen little improvement; and training has been limited to introductory sessions for faculty and staff. The project also lacks coordination among extension services, other USP resources, and national institutes of higher education newly emerging in the region. On the technical level, most technology supported by the project has been appropriate for USP use. USP's regional communication requirements have been studied but no overall strategy has been formed; a long-term satellite access (alternative to NASA's experimental ATS-1 system, now in use) has not been identified. Finally, the radio broadcast and video production facilities (mostly general interest programming) have been upgraded. The evaluation showed that: satellite teleconferencing is essential to success of the extension program which, as USP's visible presence in participating countries, may be crucial to USP's viability; system use for tutorials and regional outreach activities needs to be increased; continued access to the ATS-1 system is critical; and greater use of audio and video tapes for remote and rural learners is needed. Recommendations to improve the USP system are included.