Why is the EU supporting research and education networking in Central Asia? The development of a high-capacity, yet cost-effective data-communications infrastructure for research and education across Central Asia is high on the EU agenda. Research and education networks provide a reliable, high-capacity Internet connection among academic institutions at affordable prices. This enables them to collect and exchange enormous amounts of data with geographically distributed partners and collaborate effectively on a global scale.
Supporting the creation and functioning of such networks, the EC support enables the academic institutions in less developed countries to get connected to the outside world and exchange information with more advanced partners.
This is a huge step in decreasing the digital divide between the developing and developed world. With access to modern technologies, the education and research sectors get modernised and drive the change in other sectors which, in turn, contributes to increased economic development, opens up societies in developing countries and fosters democracy.
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