This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is by and between the North American Coalition for Religion and Ecology / International Consortium for Religion and Ecology, (herein "NACRE/ICORE") 5 Thomas Circle, NW, Washington D.C. 20005 USA, Uganda Christian University, P.O. Box 4, Mukono, Uganda.

Whereas, NACRE/ICORE has obtained grant funds for the purpose of conducting a pilot study of the impact of Internet-based, distance learning on education in remote schools throughout the world; and

Whereas, Uganda Christian University has expressed an interest in obtaining satellite service for email and to develop a certificate program for ICT (Information and Communications Technologies);

IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

1. NACRE/ICORE agrees provide telecommunications equipment, LEO store-and-forward Portable Ground Station (PGS), for the Uganda Christian University contingent upon the ability of Uganda Christian University to provide equipment licensing, installation, security, replacement bond or insurance, on-site staffing, and staff training for said equipment.

2. NACRE/ICORE will specify the equipment to be provided to Uganda Christian University. Said equipment may include a Portable Ground Station (PGS) Terminal for connectivity to the VITAsat LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellite network and required accessories.

3. NACRE/ICORE, if it determines that it is financially feasible, agrees to provide additional equipment for Internet down link broadcast services, provided that such equipment services are cost-effective under NACRE/ICORE budget constraints, or that VIK (value-in-kind) equipment, software development, and broadcast services are made available by corporate partners. A description of proposed equipment and services, and a final agreement for such services, shall be provided by NACRE/ICORE with the assistance of proposed service providers.

4. NACRE/ICORE agrees to provide the services of Allan E. Baer as the NACRE/ICORE project manager during the proposed pilot program. The project manager will be based in the United States and will be available to the project by email. The project manager will make a minimum of one trip to the site to deliver the VITAsat LEO PGS equipment, to provide equipment training, and to conduct a program assessment for utilization of said equipment by Uganda Christian University. A description of the proposed project management services, equipment training, and pilot study shall be provided by NACRE/ICORE.

5. NACRE/ICORE, pending completion of pilot study, agrees to transfer ownership of the said equipment to Uganda Christian Unversity for the sum of (US) $1. If in the event that the proposed pilot study does not proceed as anticipated by NACRE/ICORE, NACRE/ICORE retains the right to recover said equipment for utilization at an alternate site in order to meet the terms and conditions under which NACRE/ICORE accepted the grant funds.

UGANDA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

1. Uganda Christian University agrees to provide the resources of the University to conduct the pilot project in collaboration with NACRE/ICORE to study the potential impact of Internet-based, distance learning on education in a remote village school. Such school maybe adjacent to Uganda Christian University.

2. Uganda Christian University agrees to obtain equipment licensing for all ground station equipment from appropriate Ugandan authorities within a reasonable time frame from the signing of this MOU in order to schedule program start-up and project manager travel prior to a date to be determined. NACRE/ICORE will have the right to conduct the pilot study at an alternate location if the agreed upon equipment licensing schedule cannot be assured.

3. Uganda Christian University agrees to provide equipment installation, security in the form of a replacement bond or insurance, on-site staffing, and staff training for said equipment. Uganda Christian University shall provide NACRE/ICORE with the following:

a. Uganda Christian University site plan showing the proposed equipment installation;
b. On-site staffing plan with hours of operation for student and teacher access proposed equipment;
c. On-site staffing plan with hours of operation for other community use of the equipment, including proposed use of equipment (micro-enterprise development, telemedicine, education, government, etc.);
d. Replacement Bond or Insurance Certificate for said equipment.
e. Identification of on-site staff to manage school and community access to equipment and a training plan for said staff.

4. Uganda Christian University agrees to provide Stephen Noll as the project manager and to appoint an on-site assistant project manager at the University. Uganda Christian University shall provide a description of the appropriate roles of the project managers consistent with the primary goals of the pilot study: to assess the impact of Internet-based, distance learning on education in remote schools.

5. Uganda Christian University agrees facilitate communications with at least one rural school (Item 1, above) for which NACRE/ICORE will provide a collaborative, project-based, experiential learning program. This program will utilize the concept of an "Eco-lab" to support a school-based, science education providing critical information for achieving sustainable food production for the community.

6. Uganda Christian University agrees to provide technical assistance to provide equipment use data and assist in the measurement of program outcomes for the reporting requirements to the NACRE/ICORE funding source and to contribute to a final program evaluation.

GENERAL

1. This Memorandum of Understanding provides the basis for which NACRE/ICORE and Uganda Christian University shall proceed with the development of a final agreement on or before a date to be determined.

2. This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a non-binding agreement to be used for the purpose developing a framework for a final agreement between NACRE/ICORE and Uganda Christian University. This MOU does not commit either party to the proposed terms and conditions outlined herein pursuant to a final agreement.

For NACRE/ICORE:

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Dr. Donald B. Conroy, S.T.L., Ph.D.
President and CEO

For Uganda Christian University

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