Fastlink launches a project to link students with a database in universities, colleges and schools

The service, the first of its kind in the Middle East, comes as part of Fastlink's efforts to harness its advanced technology in order to cater for the Kingdom's different vital sectors, particularly the educational sector.

Fastlink's CEO Mohammad Saqer said "the service aims to utilize themobile phone technology—which enjoys a large penetration compared to other means of communication- in order to cater for different sectors in the kingdom".

He added that EduLink service is essentially a database that connects university and college students with their educational institutions through using their mobiles. It also links technology with the educational sector. The service is indispensable in terms of building a developed society based on the know how.

The service, which was developed in cooperation with (NGT) enables both students and staff to interact with a system of managing SMSs. It reduces time and effort for the educational institutions to transmit information to students and staff. The service is also provided more flexibility for students and staff to inquire about any service or info pertaining to the university at anytime and anywhere. A University entrance service will also be provided soon through mobile services.

EduLink prompts knowledge about students marks and averages, as well as the location of auditoriums, and names of lecturers and other info that will immediately generate interest in 2-Way Short Messaging Service. It provides universities with an opportunity to connect with students and staff through SMS which contain information about University memos, reminders about tuition fees and other info through a PUSH SMS system.

Saqer stressed that Fastlink is keen to play a constructive role to contribute to the development of the economic and social process in the Kingdom. "This is part of the company's continuous effort to assume a leading role in developing the educational sector based on the latest educational programs and advanced technologies," he said.

Fastlink is connected to a number of Jordanian Universities, and to several educational and training programs. It is the first such company in the communication sector that has utilized its technical, management and marketing capabilities to cater for university students.

Saqer said "the company has given the youth and educational sectors a special priority as they are valuable assets which will help build a prosperous future in Jordan, and this falls in line with the company's objectives."

Fastlink has established partnerships with a number of Jordanian universities, and it was the first such company that supported Jordan's educational initiative. Fastlink has computerized the entire science curriculum as part of Jordan's initiative to develop the Kingdom's educational sector.

Last year, the company launched "Fastlink Educational Fund" with the aim to enhance the living standards of under privileged students through providing them with an opportunity to earn educational scholarships to help them pursue their education.

Saqer reiterated that this step is among several others that seek to strengthen the partnership with the universities, and to contribute to developing the educational sector in Jordan.

This service is currently provided at nine universities and colleges: The University of Jordan, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Princess Sumaya College for Information Technology, Al Zarqa Private University, The University of Applied Sciences, Amman Private University, Philadelphia University, NewYork Information Technology Academeny, Al Quds College in addition to a number of other public and private schools.

Faslink's Data services manager Ziad Al Masri explained in detail how the systems work and what benefits the service provides for subscribers.

He said that "the system to manage SMS will help turn the university in to a comprehensive e-learning educational institution that has all the needed technologies and electronic tools in order to embrace the electronic educational drive."

He noted that the distinguished services provided by the universities also complement the SMS leading services. The solution is a mobile planner that can be harnessed by universities to provide information and services to students and staff anytime and anywhere.

Mr. Al Masri also highlighted some of the proposed services whereby universities can communicate with students and staff at anytime and anywhere. For instance, students and staff could be informed about suspending classes during severe weather conditions. Student could also be reminded to pay their tuition fee, learn about university memos (class hours, schedule of exams) and receive invitations to participate in educational courses and training programs, learn about their test results, receive congratulations on different occasions, and to monitor computers, technology information, inform those concerned about the disruption of any services through SMS on mobile phone.

He said, "In general the information services have recently gained special importance due to its essential role in changing ways of running businesses, and introducing advanced methods."

He added that the mobile services have gone beyond their traditional role in providing voice services to those of offering modern solutions.