“National Academic Technology Innovation Program”, by Joe Wilson
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, October 26th, 2006

“Currently more than one million people have obtained online degrees, after completing the requirements from various institutions that have online programs” stated Joe Wilson, International Academic Director for Microsoft. Wilson celebrated a conference titled “National Academic Technology Innovation Program” in the FUNGLODE headquarters in Santo Domingo.

Wilson explained that for a technological revolution to be made possible in a specific country there is a very simple formula to be used: vision, inspiration and curriculum. In other words, where do you want to go, what do you want to be and what do you want to change.  During his presentation, Mr. Wilson took the opportunity to admire the vision of President Fernandez, which he classified as inspiring and stated “I wish there were more presidents that spoke that way”.

“Dominican Republic has an opportunity that doesn’t come around many times, and this is the right moment to integrate technology in education, for this to happen, it is necessary that educators identify themselves with the innovative vision and promote it.” Mr. Wilson recognized that educators require the right tools, technology and infrastructure, but he emphasized that for a project to take place you must start with inspiration and to really desire for things to change and do something about it.

He considers the role of a good curriculum on of the most important pieces for change to be possible in education. Also, the inspiration that comes from professors is of great importance, so that the students’ goal is not only to get good grades but so they can learn new things so they can develop new ideas to the development of a country, especially in Dominican Republic.

The audience that assisted the conference was conformed of deans, academic directors, and program directors from various universities of the Dominican Republic.