Development of the communication/information infrastructure at the academic institution

Abstract

The quality and functionality of the communication/information infrastructure is essential for the development of the academic institution. The status of the academic institution and its relationship with other subjects such as government institutions and companies establish the basic potentials and constraints for the infrastructural development. The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture (FESB) of the University of Split in Croatia is an example of the academic institution with dynamic development of its communication/information infrastructure. The support by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the CARNet has been the major driving force in development of the basic communication/information infrastructure. The major result of this cooperation has been the deployment of the local area network and provision of the Internet connections and services. However, the intensive collaboration with the renown ICT companies on joint research and development projects in the area of ICT technology and services have generated new potentials for development of the communication/information infrastructure at FESB. Important results of this cooperation include installation of the digital PABX, development of the experimental communication network based on technologies such as ATM, ISDN, IP, xDSL, GSM and DECT. Another important step is the ongoing process of introduction of the wireless local area network to enable the mobility of students and faculty members within the premises. The plans for the future development of the communication/information infrastructure at FESB include continuous work on introduction of new ICT technologies and improvement of the functionality through the cooperation with the partners.