The National Telecommunications and Information Administration awarded Puerto Rico's Universidad del Sagrado Corazón a nearly $3 million grant to expand broadband connectivity.
The project aims to improve education, spur economic development and create employment opportunities through increased digital capacity, according to a Feb. 9 news release. The school will receive $2,978,187.
“Connected communities create empowered communities, fostering economic growth and well-being. This grant will expand Universidad del Sagrado Corazón’s remote learning capacity and create new job and entrepreneurship opportunities,” Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves said, according to the release.
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Alan Davidson said La Universidad del Sagrado Corazón has a key role in getting high speed, reliable internet service to its students and the surrounding community, the release reported. The grant will enable the university to increase service speeds and provide digital skills training for its students to access the benefits it brings.
Universidad del Sagrado Corazón’s President Gilberto Marxuach-Torrós said the grant was transformational, according to the release.
“Sagrado’s technological infrastructure will make a quantum leap to the highest industry standards. We will be able to push forward our innovation agenda in our academic programs, student services and community engagements,” he said, the release reported.
The students, faculty, staff, alumni and the communities served by the university will greatly benefit, he said in the release. He said they were grateful to NTIA for this opportunity.
