阿肯色州立大学山家分校获720,298美元USDA拨款：升级4地远程课堂，惠及约14,319名农村居民
位于阿肯色州Mountain Home市的阿肯色州立大学山家分校（Arkansas State University-Mountain Home）11月4日宣布，该校获得美国农业部（USDA）720,298美元拨款，用于扩大农村远程学习与劳动力培训。
这笔资金来自农业部远程学习与远程医疗（Distance Learning and Telemedicine，DLT）项目，校方另配套108,045美元，总投资828,343美元。资金将升级4个地点的教室技术、视频会议与协作工具：山家分校本校、Marshall高中、North Central职业中心，以及位于Calico Rock的Benny Magness惩教单位，后者将配备虚拟现实焊接模拟器，供在押人员接受职业培训。
阿肯色州立大学系统表示，项目将服务阿肯色州中北部约14,319名农村居民，并扩展虚拟学业辅导、注册与助学金指导等学生服务。
校长Bentley Wallace与教务长Robert Shurley出席宣布活动，农业部阿肯色州主任David Branscum与联邦众议员Rick Crawford也在相关场合致意。校方表示，农村学生常因距离错过课程与证书项目，远程课堂升级后，两地学生可在本地教室同步上课。
（来源：阿肯色州立大学系统）
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home Receives $720,298 USDA Grant: Distance-Learning Upgrades at Four Sites for About 14,319 Rural Residents
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home (ASUMH), in Mountain Home, Arkansas, announced on November 4 that it has received a $720,298 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to expand rural distance learning and workforce training.
The funding comes through the USDA's Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) program, with the university adding $108,045 in matching funds for a total investment of $828,343. The money will upgrade classroom technology, videoconferencing and collaboration tools at four sites: the ASUMH campus, Marshall High School, the North Central Career Center, and the Benny Magness Unit correctional facility in Calico Rock, which will receive virtual-reality welding simulators for vocational training of incarcerated people.
The Arkansas State University System says the project will serve about 14,319 rural residents in north-central Arkansas and expand virtual tutoring, enrollment and financial-aid advising.
Chancellor Dr. Bentley Wallace and Provost Dr. Robert Shurley took part in the announcement, alongside USDA Arkansas State Director David Branscum and U.S. Representative Rick Crawford. The university says rural students often miss courses and credential programs because of distance, and the upgraded classrooms will let them join classes from local sites.
(Source: Arkansas State University System)
来源：阿肯色州立大学系统
发布：GSM·美国（发布链接）
图片来源：Mountain Home市所在的巴克斯特县法院（资料图）。Public domain，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / The Baxter County Courthouse in Mountain Home, Arkansas (file photo). Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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