The southern branch of the National Center for High-performance Computing has successfully completed developing its Access Grid technology, through which remote teaching would be made available in more than 40 interactive classrooms at different locations worldwide.
The center plans to also use the technology in other fields, including disaster prevention and medical conferences.
According to officials at the center, the new technology's trial program had aroused the interest of five universities, including National Dong Hwa University, National Taitung University, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, National Cheng Kung University, and National Sun Yat-sen University.
At a press conference held on Thursday in Tainan, history professors from the five universities simultaneously gave a digital lecture through the grid service provided by the center.
The class was hosted from Brisbane, Australia by Chen Nian-shing (
Through the grid's control room at the center, Chen could answer questions raised by students in Pingtung, Taichung and Hualien. He also interacted with other professors in Taiwan.
"Through the grid system, experts in different locations can teach together, providing students with a service they could earlier never have in an isolated, disconnected classroom," Chen told the media through the system.
Center officials said the system could interact with 40 workstations in different classrooms simultaneously. This feature results in the participation of many professors, who wouldn't have to commute between metropolitan areas and remote counties.
In addition, the officials said, the service could possibly attract world-class professors to teach students in Taiwan.
The center's officials foresee rapid growth for the service due to its accessibility.
"The service is free and available to all universities, which only need to have computers installed with regular webcams and microphones," said Yu Shiann-jeng (
According to Yu, there's no technical challenge for universities because the necessary software can be easily downloaded via the Internet.
Remote teaching, has not yet been widely adopted by universities in Taiwan. Next semester, Chen will continue his research in Australia but initiate a class dealing with information management at National Sun Yat-sen University.
"By using this technology, I could be virtually with students in Taiwan although I'll be in Australia," Chen said.
Center officials said that the technology also helped doctors quarantined during the SARS outbreak in the country in April and May.
According to Tsai Whey-fone (
Last year, Tsai said, to help tackle asthma, the center developed a networking system involving access grid technology to work with hospitals and manufacturers of peak flow meters, which are hand-held devices that measure the maximum velocity of air expelled from people's lungs. The project was to develop a meter to constantly monitor asthma sufferers through networks to allow prompt treatment when they suffer attacks.
Tsai said that many scientific-research communities are already using the access grid technology. For example, a disaster-prevention network is under construction at a cost of NT$200 million.
Officials said the system would display real-time data pertaining to rainfall, water levels in reservoirs and rising water levels in rivers. Diverse governmental agencies at different levels can monitor possible flood situations and speedily make decisions accordingly.
Center officials said the establishment of a database was crucial for the disaster-prevention system. A virtual-reality database of Taiwan's cubic topography has been completed based on data collected by satellites. On the cubic map at 6m resolution, officials said, the locations of landslides could be clearly seen.
The center recently produced three-dimensional models of the Chenyulan and Choshui rivers in order to provide experts with more precise information about land planning.
These models, at 60cm resolution, would provide crucial water-resources information pertaining to disaster-prevention measures, officials said.
Tsai said that the center is equipped with state-of-the-art hardware and software resources. Many scientific-research communities are already making use of the center, including those related to water-resources management, disaster-prevention studies and nanotechnology.
In addition, Tsai said, through international collaboration on high-performance computing technology, the center links Taiwan to several global networks, promoting international exchange over the Internet.
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