Mindset Network, a South African educational NGO, has been named as an Industry Innovator for System Development & Application by the Society of Satellite Professionals International.
Mindset develops and distributes educational resources via various technology platforms, including broadcast and datacast, for use in the school, health and vocational sectors. The materials are available in video, print and in computer-based multimedia formats.
Video content is currently transmitted to more than two million households in sub-Saharan Africa and about 1 250 schools in South Africa via the MultiChoice Learning Channel through Intelsat's satellite network.
Intelsat, the leading provider of fixed satellite services (FSS) worldwide and the longest supplier of satellite services to Africa (since 1965) is a founding partner of Mindset. Intelsat has been carrying Mindset content on the Intelsat 7 satellite at 68.5^0E since 2003.
Mindset also provides educational content for healthcare providers, workers and the general public through a dedicated transmission which transmits to over 307 clinics and hospitals across South Africa.
Mindset installs receiving equipment, such as PCs, televisions and satellite dishes, at host sites through donor funding and sponsorships.
The delivery platform has evolved from a purely broadcast service to a datacast solution which encompasses the best of Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) and Internet Protocol (IP) technology. IP data is now embedded into a DVB signal and can thus be distributed through a DVB broadcast system. In essence, this means that video content (images) and documents (texts) can be broadcast via satellite to a television and/or a computer.
The innovation award will be presented to Mindset's CEO, Vis Naidoo, at a gala event in Washington, DC on 26 February. The Award recognises outstanding contributions to the field of satellite communications by both private-sector and public-sector organisations. Winning in the non-profit sector, Mindset is being recognised for using satellite communications to transform education on national and international levels. Because of Mindset, educational and healthcare professionals are becoming more knowledgeable and in turn educating the next generation, which ultimately is creating social change.
"Satellite technology and access to broadband has been crucial to our success and we are delighted that our innovative educational approach has been recognised by the world's leading satellite professionals," said Naidoo.
"Intelsat has long recognised the importance of enabling distance learning, especially in developing countries," Flavien Bachabi, Intelsat's Regional Vice-President for Africa said. "Projects such as Mindset are a perfect example of ingenuity and technologies coming together for social change and hallmark Intelsat's commitment for African-based communications services. We contribute vital satellite capacity every year for this organisation and are really pleased at the impact this service has made to the learning environment in Southern Africa. It is very exciting to see Mindset expand and continue to impact communities with positive, accurate information," Bachabi added.
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Mindset Network is a South African based non-profit organisation that was founded in 2002. It develops and distributes quality and contextually relevant educational resources for use in the schooling, health and vocational sectors. Materials are distributed through various technology platforms including broadcast and datacast. The materials are made available in video, print and in computer-based multimedia formats.
Mindset Network has formed strategic partnerships with many South African government departments. These include the South African departments of education, health and communication.
Mindset Network is supported by a number of South African founding partners, including The Liberty Foundation, Standard Bank Foundation, Nelson Mandela Foundation, MultiChoice Foundation, Intelsat, Sunday Times, Sentech and Telkom Foundation. Other partners include Umsobomvu Youth Fund, UniForum, Barloworld, DG Murray Trust, Peermont Global East Rand and Zenex Foundation to name but a few.
Intelsat
Intelsat is the leading provider of fixed satellite services (FSS) worldwide, delivering advanced transmission access for information and entertainment to some of the world's leading media and network companies, multinational corporations, Internet service providers and governmental agencies. Intelsat also offers seamless service for voice, data and video transmission unmatched in the industry. With the globalisation of content, broadband, telecom, HD and IPTV fuelling next-generation growth, the ever-expanding universe of satellite services are the cornerstones of today's Intelsat. Real-time, advanced communications with people anywhere in the world is closer, by far.
The Society of Satellite Professionals International (SPPI)
SPPI is a non-profit member-benefit society that serves satellite professionals throughout their careers. Specifically, this means:
* Promoting the development of - and access to - high-quality, satellite-related education.
* Helping satellite professionals to advance their careers by creating opportunities for them to do business with each other and learn.
* Working to increase the professionalism and professional standing of members in every sector of the global satellite industry.
* Honouring extraordinary achievement by satellite professionals and the companies they work for through the Satellite Hall of Fame and Industry Innovators awards programs.
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