Remote and Real Time Laboratories Network for Engineering Education

Tecnologico de Monterrey as part of Global University Leaders Forum has been developing a strategic pr oject that focus on the application of ICT technologies t o implement engineering labs for remote, low cost a nd mass learning and training. This project is proper for d eveloping countries where the lack of equipment in laboratories used in universities and training centers is one of the main features to prevent the development of pr ofessionals to use the last generation technology. The main reason of this lack is the high cost of the equipment. Wi th the integration of telecommunication technologies and c omputer science with virtual instrumentation, real, remote laboratories can be developed and accessed through Internet in real time, ensuring a richer collaborat ive experience for the student while avoiding some of t he growing limitations of traditional laboratories, such as the lack of enough work area, expensive instrumentation , lack of personnel, time assigned to a laboratory, and their availability in non-working office hours. Under thi s context, this initiative aims to create new technological platforms for engineering education that fill aspec ts like the low cost and distributed use of these f acilities to include significant quantities of students deal wit h this kind of instruction.