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By Kushani Ratnayake

The first of its kind in Sri Lanka, Distance Learning Centre (DLC) is a part of the Global Development Learning Network (GDLN) which provides decision-makers, regular and affordable interaction with peers and experts across the globe, encouraging the exchange of ideas and experiences on a wider scale.

The vision of DCL is to be "the leader in offering global knowledge in Sri Lanka using cutting edge technology and satisfying the needs of the public and private sectors".

"DLC provides the corporate client with VC facilities by which face to face exchanges could be made with business colleagues, partners, customers and suppliers internationally" said the Chief Executive officer Russell Kerkoven.

DLC hopes to provide exposure to a new world of knowledge, as well as a convenient and cost effective way to gain information that is up to date and first hand. The opportunity is there to access the very best expertise in any field Kerkoven said.

Targeted mainly at middle to top management personnel in the private and public sectors, the primary task of DLC is to facilitate distance learning programs. DLC is able to help a company to realise its full potential by enhancing personal development and facilitating business by multi regional conferencing. It is equipped with the latest video conferencing and multimedia facilities incorporating face to face tutorials, global dialogue sessions and interactive web communications enabling interaction.

"Client organisations could avail themselves of the facilities provided at the centre to conduct their own training programs and workshops, using either the video or Internet facilities" said Kerkoven.

DLC offers employees in an organisation, unlimited access to worldwide training without the necessity of leaving the country, saving time and money otherwise spent on overseas training and helps to keep the employees at close proximity. DLC also enables world renowned organisations, agencies and companies to benefit from Sri Lanka's own home grown skills and talent.

"DCL is probably the most modern VC training facility in South Asia with 384 Kbps of dedicated bandwidth and 80 P3 Dell Personal Computers", he said.

A VSAT satellite link will provide connectivity and offer two way video conferencing and on line chat in real time, with experts and other participants from the Global Development Learning Network (GDLN) centres around the world, in addition to using internet forums, news groups and e-mail. "The auditorium can accommodate thirty fully interactive participants and twenty observers and has two multimedia computer laboratories with twenty-one computers with a multimedia projector", Kerkoven said.

DLC offers demand driven, fee based course curriculum, aimed at training and skills development of senior civil servants and corporate executives and utilises a combination of four main technologies- Video conferencing, the internet, multimedia, and print, and is equipped with the most advanced information technology.

The latest and most suitable tool for each program will be used and many international experts from the World Bank Institute and other reputed organisations will facilitate all the programs. These courses will combine two way video conference sessions, multimedia, print packages, interactive web communications or face to face tutorials. This is in addition to the global dialogue sessions that allow interaction between participants, who will be from many different nations. The DLC Board has representations in the public and private sector and the Chairman is Armyne Wirasinha.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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