The project, which has a budget of US$35 million over four years, is expected to see more universities and research institutes benefit from higher speed internet access, next-generation multi-party teleconferencing, virtual classrooms and remote consulting.
Read more: Network to connect 4000 education institutes in Asia
The role of technology, however, is often assessed by the overall enhancement in productivity and increase in national incomes. The potential role of technology in improving the lives of ordinary people — from reducing poverty, upgrading the delivery of public services to the enhancement of human development — is often hidden and unrecognised.
India, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand have not kept up with other countries.
The UN E-Government Survey 2008, based on assessments of 192 U N member states, also shows software programming powerhouse India dropping 26 notches to 113 (down from 87th place in 2005), and the Philippines ranking 66, down from 41 in the 2005 index.
Read more: Asian countries are below average in e-government readiness: UN Survey
Korea topped the Gartner study with 93 percent penetration in 2007, with this figure expected to hit 97 percent in 2012.
India fell 26 notches in the U.N. 2008 E-Government Readiness Index to 113th, compared to No. 87 in 2005, while the Philippines registered a rank of 66 in 2008, down from 41 in 2005.
Singapore and Thailand each fell 16 spots from their 2005 ranking, occupying No. 23 and No. 62, respectively, in the latest index.