The UbuntuNet Alliance is pleased to announce the successful candidates selected from its membership to participate in the GÉANT Emerging NREN Programme (ENP) 2026, a prestigious professional development initiative that will take place alongside TNC26, the flagship conference of the global research and education networking community. The programme will be held from 8–12 June 2026 in Helsinki, Finland, bringing together emerging professionals from National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) worldwide for a transformative learning and networking experience.
The Emerging NREN Programme is a capacity-building initiative designed for early-career professionals in NRENs, offering mentorship, collaboration, and participation in TNC, Europe’s largest research and education networking conference. Through ENP, participants gain exposure to global best practices, engage with leading experts, and build lasting professional networks that contribute to the growth and resilience of their home NRENs.
Meet the ENP 2026 Participants from the UbuntuNet Alliance Membership
Following a competitive selection process, the UbuntuNet Alliance proudly congratulates the following participants selected under the main ENP track:
- Kato Iva Mosimanegape, Network Engineer – BotsREN (Botswana)
- Berny Chaimite, HPC Principal Administrator – MoRENet (Mozambique)
These participants demonstrated outstanding technical capability, strong motivation, and a clear vision for applying their ENP experience to strengthen their institutions and the broader research and education networking ecosystem.
Additional Selection Under the Women in STEM Track
In addition to the main ENP cohort, the UbuntuNet Alliance region is further represented by:
- Grace Gausi, Systems Engineer – Malawi Research and Education Network (MAREN), Malawi
Grace was selected under the ENP Women in STEM track, a dedicated pathway aimed at promoting gender inclusion and empowering women professionals in research and education networking. Her selection recognizes both her technical expertise and her commitment to advancing innovation within MAREN. Reflecting on the opportunity, Grace highlighted her motivation to deepen her understanding of global NREN operations and contribute to strengthening services and innovation within her institution. Her participation also underscores MAREN’s ongoing commitment to capacity building, international collaboration, and advancing women’s participation in STEM fields. You can read more about her participation on MAREN’s website here.
The ENP Experience
Participation in ENP 2026 provides full access to TNC26, GÉANT’s annual conference that convenes hundreds of experts from NRENs, universities, research institutions, and industry partners worldwide. TNC offers a unique platform to explore emerging technologies, share knowledge, and engage in discussions shaping the future of global research and education networking. Beyond the conference, ENP participants benefit from tailored activities, mentorship, and direct engagement with the global NREN community—helping to build long-term collaborations and professional networks. For a glimpse of the experience, have a look at the photos from TNC25 here https://tnc25.geant.org/photos/
As UbuntuNet Alliance continues to strengthen its member NRENs across Eastern and Southern Africa, participation in initiatives such as the Emerging NREN Programme remains critical in building technical expertise, fostering innovation, and amplifying the region’s voice within the global community. The UbuntuNet Alliance warmly congratulates all selected participants, including those recognized under special tracks such as Women in STEM, and looks forward to the impact they will make following their participation in ENP 2026 and TNC26.