School gets needed boost

A SCHOOL nestled in the remote highlands of Papua New Guinea will soon boast 10 solar-powered computers thanks to Rotary and the ingenuity of local TAFE students.
The school in the village of Fomu, Southern Highlands, has been the focus of a North Ryde Rotary project that aims to supply low power consuming computers, to developing countries.
IT students from Castle Hill TAFE designed the computer system, while students from Mount Druitt TAFE constructed the solar power system that will keep the computers running.
“The students and staff at TAFE have been enthusiastic and really great to work with,”’ project director Phill Isaacs said.
The low power technology is a necessity for the isolated school, built by members of Kenthurst Rotary in 2008, since Fomu is yet to be connected to electricity.
Isaacs said the low power computer the students had produced are less expensive and could operate on just 12 volts.
“It has led to the development of a system which can be used for developing countries and even some remote Australian communities too as this computers run solely on solar power energy and can withstand high temperature and humidity,” he said.