In 2023, the Networks and Infrastructure Manager of the Malawi Research and Education Network (MAREN), Alexius Chipalamwazani, was selected to participate in TNC 2023, GÉANT’s annual conference. His selection followed his success in the highly competitive Emerging NREN Programme (ENP), a prestigious initiative designed to integrate individuals from emerging National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) into the TNC community. The programme fosters synergies and connections at different organizational levels between European and international NRENs.
Since its inception in 2018, 14 NREN staff members from the UbuntuNet Alliance region have participated in the programme, which is led by GÉANT’s Senior International Relations Project Manager for AfricaConnect3, Leila Dekkar. Regarding the importance of the initiative, Dekkar shared the following insights:
“After coordinating ENP for several years, I’ve been especially impressed by the eagerness of Eastern and Southern African participants to learn and exchange ideas. They often arrive well-prepared with a long list of service experts they hope to connect with. We’ve always done our best to ensure they make the most of TNC, leaving with valuable connections that frequently lead to new, high-impact services for their NRENs. It is also inspiring to see that several ENP participants have grown significantly in their NREN roles since then, working tirelessly to connect one student at a time.” Leila Dekkar.
Recently, Rosanna Norman from GÉANT’s communications team caught up with Alexius for an interview about his reflections on the ENP. During the conversation, Mr. Chipalamwazani shared that his motivation to apply for the programme stemmed from his commitment to driving MAREN’s transition from IPv4 to IPv6. He saw TNC 2023 as an ideal platform to advocate for this critical shift within the MAREN membership.
Reflecting on his experience, he emphasized that the ENP had a profound impact on both his personal growth and his professional connections within the NREN community. He noted that his participation enhanced trust in MAREN’s leadership, leading to new opportunities for the organization to spearhead key national projects. He cited MAREN’s growing role in Malawi’s digital transformation, demonstrating the influence of the ENP beyond just the conference setting.
Looking ahead, Mr. Chipalamwazani is committed to ensuring that MAREN embraces innovative technologies that deliver value to its community, which is characterized by lower income levels. He highlighted high-performance computing and other emerging technologies as critical tools for addressing the specific needs of Malawi’s research and education sector.
For aspiring ENP participants, Alexius had encouraging words, emphasizing that the programme’s impact extends far beyond the event itself. He described it as a valuable platform to present ideas, engage with fellow research and education practitioners, and foster long-term collaborations.
Read the full interview with Mr. Chipalamwazani, conducted by Rosanna Norman, on the GÉANT website here.