Boletín Informativo

The Road Traveled 2001-2004

The Educational Portal of the Americas (www.educoas.org) was established in September 2001 to promote the formation of human resources through the use of the Internet, primarily through distance learning. To date the Portal has received more than 184,000,000 accesses from more than 200 countries and territories of the world. In celebration of the Portal’s third anniversary, celebrated this past September, we are pleased to share with our users some of the Portal’s accomplishments during the period.

http://www.educoas.org/portal/en/tema/editorial/nov04.aspx?culture=en&navid=36

Computers in Educational Institutions in Jamaica

As part of an agreement to use ICTs for educational development in the Caribbean, the OAS, together with Cable & Wireless Jamaica Foundation (C&WJF) and Tellenio Technologies, offered 500 personal computers at very low cost to three educational institutions in Jamaica. This project is the result of an agreement between the OAS and the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organizations (CANTO), and participation is open to all members of the association. Negotiations are currently underway for a second shipment of computers to Jamaica as well as to expand the program to other Caribbean countries. The equipment was delivered to the Joint Board of Teacher Education (JBTE), the Campion College and the Scout Association of Jamaica. Additionally, in an effort to strengthen the project by training teachers in the correct use of technology, the OAS collaborated with the Academy of Educational Development (AED), which currently works with JBTE to contextualize the courses as well as to bring educational programs to Jamaica.

Honorary Mention: Theo R. Crevenna

The Inter-American Agency for Cooperation and Development of the Organization of American States (OAS), together with the Inter-American Organization for Higher Education (OUI), awarded a special distinction to Dr. Theo R. Crevenna in recognition of his 60 years of dedication to the socio-educational, economic, scientific and cultural development of the Americas. The award was presented in the framework of the XIV Special General Assembly of the Ibero-American Science and Technology Education Consortium (ISTEC) that was held November 30-December 3 at the University of South Florida (USF), in Tampa, Florida, USA.

In addition to his undergraduate and graduate work in inter-American affairs, Dr. Crevenna worked for the Pan-American Union from 1946-1978 and later for the Organization of American States where he acted as Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Deputy Director of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs and Director of the Office of Fellowships & Training. He then returned to his alma mater, the University of New Mexico (UNM), to cooperate in such initiatives as the Latin American and Iberian Institute (LAII) and ISTEC.

Theo Crevenna has played a strategic role in strengthening relations between the UNM and the OAS through inter-institutional agreements that in recent decades have allowed for a wide range of programs, projects, and activities related to scientific, technological, educational and cultural matters, as well as a scholarships and professional training program. In addition, in 2000 Dr. Crevenna, together with other colleagues from UNM and ISTEC, played an important role in creating strategies to promote human resources through new information and communication technologies for distance education. The Educational Portal of the Americas (www.educoas.org), the Institute of Advanced Studies for the Americas (INEAM) and its regional academic center in UNM were created as a result.

Click here to read the Presentation Speech

HACU: Technology and Culture: International Convergence

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) will hold its Sixth International Conference on “Technology and Culture” International Convergence” in Santa Fe, New Mexico on May 22-24, 2005. Among the goals of the conference will be to establish a discussion forum regarding strategic areas for the development of higher education for Hispanics and to bring together people and institutions in order to identify strategic initiatives for international cooperation. In addition the event will promote the exchange of experiences to promote efficiency, relevance, coverage and quality of post-secondary education for Hispanics.

http://www.hacu.net/hacu/International_Conference2_EN.asp?SnID=156474544

Decontamination of Water in Rural Zones of Latin America

A meeting on the "Use and Results of the Application of Economic Technologies for Water Purification in Latin America" was held on November 8-9, 2004 in the Atomic Center of the National Commission on Atomic Energy (Buenos Aires, Argentina). The event was held within the framework of the OAS Project AE/141 (Economic Technologies for the Disinfection and Decontamination of Water in Rural Zones of Latin America). Over 170 participants from 14 countries of the region participated in the event, which served to present the results of the aforementioned project regarding research and application of three very economical technologies in plastic bottles in order to provide drinking water to those regions of Latin America with few resources. Participants were also given a presentation of the online course "Safe Water for All", which will be offered through the Portal early next year.

http://www.cnea.gov.ar/xxi/ambiental/agua-pura/encuentro.htm
http://www.cnea.gov.ar/xxi/ambiental/agua-pura/libro_de_resumenes.pdf

2005 INELAM Prize

The 2005 Inter-American Prize for Innovative Education in the Americas, an initiative of INEAM within the framework of a cooperation agreement signed between the OAS and OUI, will recognize experiences carried out at the regional level in the area of Digital Libraries at the university or higher level. The guidelines for the Prize will be posted in January 2005. As in previous years, the Prize will consist of the 2005 trophy, a diploma, a digital seal, roundtrip airfare to Mexico with 3 days of per diem, and $1,000. As in previous years, INEAM will make special mention for Educational Quality, Social Responsibility and Corporate Social Responsibility.

INEAM News

In November, the Portal made available a restricted site so that the members of INEAM’s Governing Council (CONSUPE) may begin their work through the Internet using the tools and services offered by the Portal. CONSUPE was created last September by the OUI and the IACD/OAS and is composed of university presidents and representatives from government, NGOs and civil society. The group also has members from international organizations such as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), World Bank, United Nations and UNESCO, among others. In addition to virtual meetings it is expected that the group will hold its first regular meeting on May 18-20, 2005 at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM, USA.

Virtual Educa 2005: Preparatory Work

During the first week of December, the third working meeting was held at the headquarters of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) to organize the VI International Conference on Education, Training and New Technologies, Virtual Educa 2005, which will take place June 20-24, 2005.

http://www.virtualeduca.org

Interns: Entering into Service

An announcement will be posted next February for all those interested in training opportunities at INEAM headquarters at the General Secretariat of the OAS in Washington, DC. The internships will be for a 3-6 month period between May and December 2005 and will be directed to students completing their university or graduate studies. The students will participate in all aspects of the Portal’s services, including conversion of conventional materials to online publications, graphic design, creation of pilot and experimental projects, and research regarding ICTs as applied to the formation of human resources.

Environmental Economy and Recreation

As part of the work being developed with the IOHE, a course is being prepared on the creation of environmentally based tourism opportunities in order to contribute to the development and environmental, economic, cultural and social sustainability of the region. The course is intended for professionals with an integral vision of the field of environmental management and eco-tourism. Its main objective is to offer participants the elements of environmental economy and recreation in order for them to understand, analyze and prepare business development and environmental sustainability proposals in their respective areas. The course is composed of four modules in the following areas of economy of recreation and demand analysis, supply analysis, production and management decisions, and economic appreciation of the environment. This six-week course will be delivered under the academic and technical supervision of tutors who will guide participants throughout the duration of course by helping them to access course content; suggesting reading and reference materials; analyzing and evaluating assigned activities; and resolving technical problems and answering questions. In addition, the tutors will provide students with a weekly analysis of participant responses and make individual interventions when necessary.

News from the Inter-American Organization for Higher Education

The October edition of the OUI newsletter is available online. The newsletter highlights many of the activities being developed jointly with the OAS, as well as others that are in process during the 2003-2004 period.

http://www.oui-iohe.qc.ca/NEW/OUI_Esp_a2004.pdf

Vacancy Announcement

An external vacancy announcement for the position of specialist within the Department of Integral Development of the General Secretariat of the Organization of American Status has been posted. Interested candidates should review the requirements detailed in the attached documents:

Click here

We appreciate your interest and participation in the activities of the Educational Portal of the Americas. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome. Please send all messages to portal@oas.org. If you have received this message in error and would like to cancel your free subscription, please send a message to portal@oas.org and include "Cancel Newsletter Subscription" in the subject window.



	*Click here to see previous Newsletters*
	December 2004 - January 2005 News: The Road Traveled 2001-2004 Computers in Educational Institutions in Jamaica Honorary Mention: Theo R. Crevenna HACU: Technology and Culture: International Convergence Decontamination of Water in Rural Zones of Latin America 2005 INELAM Prize INEAM News Virtual Educa 2005: Preparatory Work Interns: Entering into Service Environmental Economy and Recreation News from the Inter-American Organization for Higher Education Vacancy Announcement
	The Road Traveled 2001-2004 The Educational Portal of the Americas (www.educoas.org) was established in September 2001 to promote the formation of human resources through the use of the Internet, primarily through distance learning. To date the Portal has received more than 184,000,000 accesses from more than 200 countries and territories of the world. In celebration of the Portal’s third anniversary, celebrated this past September, we are pleased to share with our users some of the Portal’s accomplishments during the period. http://www.educoas.org/portal/en/tema/editorial/nov04.aspx?culture=en&navid=36 Computers in Educational Institutions in Jamaica As part of an agreement to use ICTs for educational development in the Caribbean, the OAS, together with Cable & Wireless Jamaica Foundation (C&WJF) and Tellenio Technologies, offered 500 personal computers at very low cost to three educational institutions in Jamaica. This project is the result of an agreement between the OAS and the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organizations (CANTO), and participation is open to all members of the association. Negotiations are currently underway for a second shipment of computers to Jamaica as well as to expand the program to other Caribbean countries. The equipment was delivered to the Joint Board of Teacher Education (JBTE), the Campion College and the Scout Association of Jamaica. Additionally, in an effort to strengthen the project by training teachers in the correct use of technology, the OAS collaborated with the Academy of Educational Development (AED), which currently works with JBTE to contextualize the courses as well as to bring educational programs to Jamaica. Honorary Mention: Theo R. Crevenna The Inter-American Agency for Cooperation and Development of the Organization of American States (OAS), together with the Inter-American Organization for Higher Education (OUI), awarded a special distinction to Dr. Theo R. Crevenna in recognition of his 60 years of dedication to the socio-educational, economic, scientific and cultural development of the Americas. The award was presented in the framework of the XIV Special General Assembly of the Ibero-American Science and Technology Education Consortium (ISTEC) that was held November 30-December 3 at the University of South Florida (USF), in Tampa, Florida, USA. In addition to his undergraduate and graduate work in inter-American affairs, Dr. Crevenna worked for the Pan-American Union from 1946-1978 and later for the Organization of American States where he acted as Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Deputy Director of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs and Director of the Office of Fellowships & Training. He then returned to his alma mater, the University of New Mexico (UNM), to cooperate in such initiatives as the Latin American and Iberian Institute (LAII) and ISTEC. Theo Crevenna has played a strategic role in strengthening relations between the UNM and the OAS through inter-institutional agreements that in recent decades have allowed for a wide range of programs, projects, and activities related to scientific, technological, educational and cultural matters, as well as a scholarships and professional training program. In addition, in 2000 Dr. Crevenna, together with other colleagues from UNM and ISTEC, played an important role in creating strategies to promote human resources through new information and communication technologies for distance education. The Educational Portal of the Americas (www.educoas.org), the Institute of Advanced Studies for the Americas (INEAM) and its regional academic center in UNM were created as a result. Click here to read the Presentation Speech HACU: Technology and Culture: International Convergence The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) will hold its Sixth International Conference on “Technology and Culture” International Convergence” in Santa Fe, New Mexico on May 22-24, 2005. Among the goals of the conference will be to establish a discussion forum regarding strategic areas for the development of higher education for Hispanics and to bring together people and institutions in order to identify strategic initiatives for international cooperation. In addition the event will promote the exchange of experiences to promote efficiency, relevance, coverage and quality of post-secondary education for Hispanics. http://www.hacu.net/hacu/International_Conference2_EN.asp?SnID=156474544 Decontamination of Water in Rural Zones of Latin America A meeting on the "Use and Results of the Application of Economic Technologies for Water Purification in Latin America" was held on November 8-9, 2004 in the Atomic Center of the National Commission on Atomic Energy (Buenos Aires, Argentina). The event was held within the framework of the OAS Project AE/141 (Economic Technologies for the Disinfection and Decontamination of Water in Rural Zones of Latin America). Over 170 participants from 14 countries of the region participated in the event, which served to present the results of the aforementioned project regarding research and application of three very economical technologies in plastic bottles in order to provide drinking water to those regions of Latin America with few resources. Participants were also given a presentation of the online course "Safe Water for All", which will be offered through the Portal early next year. http://www.cnea.gov.ar/xxi/ambiental/agua-pura/encuentro.htm http://www.cnea.gov.ar/xxi/ambiental/agua-pura/libro_de_resumenes.pdf 2005 INELAM Prize The 2005 Inter-American Prize for Innovative Education in the Americas, an initiative of INEAM within the framework of a cooperation agreement signed between the OAS and OUI, will recognize experiences carried out at the regional level in the area of Digital Libraries at the university or higher level. The guidelines for the Prize will be posted in January 2005. As in previous years, the Prize will consist of the 2005 trophy, a diploma, a digital seal, roundtrip airfare to Mexico with 3 days of per diem, and $1,000. As in previous years, INEAM will make special mention for Educational Quality, Social Responsibility and Corporate Social Responsibility. INEAM News In November, the Portal made available a restricted site so that the members of INEAM’s Governing Council (CONSUPE) may begin their work through the Internet using the tools and services offered by the Portal. CONSUPE was created last September by the OUI and the IACD/OAS and is composed of university presidents and representatives from government, NGOs and civil society. The group also has members from international organizations such as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), World Bank, United Nations and UNESCO, among others. In addition to virtual meetings it is expected that the group will hold its first regular meeting on May 18-20, 2005 at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM, USA. Virtual Educa 2005: Preparatory Work During the first week of December, the third working meeting was held at the headquarters of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) to organize the VI International Conference on Education, Training and New Technologies, Virtual Educa 2005, which will take place June 20-24, 2005. http://www.virtualeduca.org Interns: Entering into Service An announcement will be posted next February for all those interested in training opportunities at INEAM headquarters at the General Secretariat of the OAS in Washington, DC. The internships will be for a 3-6 month period between May and December 2005 and will be directed to students completing their university or graduate studies. The students will participate in all aspects of the Portal’s services, including conversion of conventional materials to online publications, graphic design, creation of pilot and experimental projects, and research regarding ICTs as applied to the formation of human resources. Environmental Economy and Recreation As part of the work being developed with the IOHE, a course is being prepared on the creation of environmentally based tourism opportunities in order to contribute to the development and environmental, economic, cultural and social sustainability of the region. The course is intended for professionals with an integral vision of the field of environmental management and eco-tourism. Its main objective is to offer participants the elements of environmental economy and recreation in order for them to understand, analyze and prepare business development and environmental sustainability proposals in their respective areas. The course is composed of four modules in the following areas of economy of recreation and demand analysis, supply analysis, production and management decisions, and economic appreciation of the environment. This six-week course will be delivered under the academic and technical supervision of tutors who will guide participants throughout the duration of course by helping them to access course content; suggesting reading and reference materials; analyzing and evaluating assigned activities; and resolving technical problems and answering questions. In addition, the tutors will provide students with a weekly analysis of participant responses and make individual interventions when necessary. News from the Inter-American Organization for Higher Education The October edition of the OUI newsletter is available online. The newsletter highlights many of the activities being developed jointly with the OAS, as well as others that are in process during the 2003-2004 period. http://www.oui-iohe.qc.ca/NEW/OUI_Esp_a2004.pdf Vacancy Announcement An external vacancy announcement for the position of specialist within the Department of Integral Development of the General Secretariat of the Organization of American Status has been posted. Interested candidates should review the requirements detailed in the attached documents: Click here We appreciate your interest and participation in the activities of the Educational Portal of the Americas. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome. Please send all messages to portal@oas.org. If you have received this message in error and would like to cancel your free subscription, please send a message to portal@oas.org and include "Cancel Newsletter Subscription" in the subject window.