GEMS INTERNET LEARNING CENTER INAUGURATION IN JUNIN, MENDOZA

On April 18, 2001, the GEMS Internet Learning Center (ILC) was officially opened at School 
4-016 "Ing. Marcelo Arboit". 
The installation of this ILC is part of a Global Project implemented by Schools On Line (SOL), the International Education and Resource Network (I*EARN) and Fundación Evolución (FE) - Red TELAR-I*EARN in Argentina. 

The ILC has 10 PCs Pentium 3, connected in a network which makes it possible for all the computers to have Internet access while using only one telephone line. 
There are also 2 printers, a laser and an ink jet, 1 scanner, 1 CD writer and 1 digital camera, as well as all the necessary software. 

The opening ceremony started with the entering of the School's Flag scorted by three students and the vice principal, Prof. Silvia Oyarzábal de Alarcón (on behalf of the Principal, 
Prof Dora Sosa, on a health leave at the time). 

Among the authorities present at the Opening Ceremony were the Technical Secretary of High Schools from the Schools General Direction, Prof. Nesrin Karake, who came on behalf of the Governor of the Province; the Director of the Youth Institute, Lic. Marcela Rocco; the Town Mayor of Junin, D. Dante Pellegrini; and the Manager of Institutional Relations from Telefonica Argentina, Mr. Ramón Santamarina. 
The National Anthem was sung, then the Regional Coordinator of the GEMS Center, Engineer Jesús Rubén Azor, addressed the audience and emphazised the permanent presence of School Arboit in the Educational Telematics Field, which was the reason why the school could enter the GEMS Program. 
Mr. Azor underlined the importance of the role of the Educational Community from now on, which will have the responsibility of putting content to the investment made by the GEMS Program, without whose contents no project of this kind would be possible. 
After this, the Vice-principal, Prof. Oyarzábal, addressed the audience, she read a touching message sent by the Principal, Prof Dora Sosa, emphazising the importance of the moment the Institution was going through with this new enterprise. 

The contribution of Telefónica de Argentina for the GEMS Program was also noted and thanked, namely the bonification of $100 per month to cover the costs of the telephone cost to be used exclusively for the Internet dedicated line of the school. This was very much welcomed by the audience and created further excitement at the school. 

          
To close the ceremony, the GEMS ILC was officially inaugurated with the cutting of the ribbons at the lab door, where the local Priest, Marcelo Castro, blessed the installations which were then opened to the pulic.