Infrastructure

NJEDge.Net infrastructure spans the entire state to deliver effective on-net services such as video conferencing and access to applications and resources as well as conventional Internet and access to Internet2, a national research and education network.
 
At the core of the network are sophisticated video conferencing and distance learning capabilities with the capacity to handle several hundred simultaneous video conferences anywhere in the state with multiple participating sites. NJEDge provides a new generation of on-line collaboration tools designed to create optimal environments for teaching and learning. These capabilities provide powerful new tools to effectively deliver academic course offerings as well as community based workforce development initiatives anywhere in the state.

New classes of membership inviting corporate participation have been established for organizations desiring access to customized distance education courses as well as opportunities for research and development partnerships. We need to more vigorously pursue efforts to strengthen partnerships with business and industry and to participate more fully in the development of scientific and technological advances needed to stimulate the economy and provide New Jersey industries with a competitive advantage.

The connection of NJEDge.Net into Internet2, the next generation Internet, was strategic in opening up opportunities for international videoconferencing and collaboration around the world. Collaboration with Internet2 member communities brings to New Jersey colleges and universities the opportunity to tap into remote expertise and experiences, increase opportunities for grant funding, as well as the ability to bring the world into the classroom.

The introduction of the statewide network has provided considerable momentum in the expansion of inter-institutional research collaboration. The very high costs associated with specialized state-of-the-art equipment underscores the importance of sharing facilities, whenever possible. The statewide network now provides the ability to remotely control and share scientific instrumentation in real time. These new network-based research collaborations will serve as a platform for further research and development success critical to New Jersey’s future high-technology based economic prosperity.

The infrastructure investments in the statewide network are also serving to increase the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the higher education system. The resources and capabilities of the network make the process easy to develop new joint degree programs between institutions, share faculty expertise, as well as team teach new courses with faculty from multiple institutions using the videoconferencing resources of the network.