Education Photo courtesy of the United Nations. Empowering Asia Satellite-based education has become a standard way of reaching those people on the Asian continent that cannot otherwise gain easy access to education and educational tools and services. Connection to ICTs can turn people's lives around, whether they are young or old. Satellite Evolution looks more closely at how education delivered via satellite is impacting upon Asia. Education, education, education. We have heard our politicians utter these words countless times. Education forms the bedrock of society. It empowers people, enabling them to better themselves and move up the social strata. It helps people to secure careers, and therefore financial security. Education is vital to any society, and Asia is concentrating on ensuring that education is accessible to everyone, no matter where they live or what their financial circumstances are. However, for many parts of the world, this task is easier said than done. Reaching the population of Asia is a complex task, but if all regions are to benefit from education, capacity building is vital. I was recently reading that the Indian Space Research Organisation is in the process of developing a new Internet satellite that will provide connectivity to rural areas of India. This will be an incredible asset to the people of the country, many of whom are simply cut off from terrestrial communications with no access to the things that we take for granted as inhabitants of towns and cities, well-served by terrestrial communications. Other organisations in regions such as Africa, the Middle East and China strive to bridge the so-called Digital Divide and to ensure that those who are without connectivity to basic services such as telephone and Internet, are given this gift. How are they achieving this? Through the use of satellite. The beauty of education via satellite is that it can be delivered anywhere through very little infrastructure. Deployment is simple and quick. In an age where accessibility is the keyword, and the importance of education for all is stressed worldwide, distance learning comes into its own or should I say distance learning via satellite comes into its own. Satellite-based distance learning can enable even the remotest communities to become part of the circle of education. The concept of distance learning is not simply restricted to those in remote and rural areas but is also helpful for corporations, gov- 46 www.satellite-evolution.com | May/June 2010 education.pmd 46 5/14/2010, 10:55 PM