“Opening new frontiers in Research and Education Networking in Africa”
Group photo of participants at UbuntuNet-Connect 2009 at Africana Hotel, Kampala, Uganda on 12th November 2009
UbuntuNet Alliance in Association with RENU, the NREN of Uganda organised UbuntuNet-Connect 2009 on 12th – 13th November 2009 at Hotel Africana in Kampala, Uganda. The theme for the Conference was “Opening new frontiers for Research and Education Networking in Africa.”
The conference was officially opened by the Ugandan Minister of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Hon Mr Aggrey Awori. The annual conference brought together over 100 practitioners and stakeholders to address current challenges, share lessons, and plan for the continuing growth of research and education networks in Africa. UbuntuNet-Connect 2009 also provided opportunities for special interest groups (such as the one on Grid Computing) to share their experiences and plans in the light of improving connectivity across the continent.
UbuntuNet-Connect 2009 was preceded a 5 day NREN Routing Workshop; a 1 day Grid Computing Tutorial; and a 1 day FEAST Meeting.
Programme
| DAY 1 | |
| 0730-0815 | Registration, By Slyvia Nakajjugo and Ireen Kitimbo |
| 0815-0950 | Conference Opening, By Iman Maaly Abdelrahman, SUIN CEO |
| 0815-0830 | Introductions (by country), By Patrick Mangheni, RENU CEO |
| 0830-0840 | Welcome remarks from RENU, By S. Noll, RENU Chair |
| 0840-0850 | Brief remarks from Platinum Sponsors, By JP de Leu, SEACOM and Ryan Sher, WIOCC |
| 0850-0905 | Setting the stage: Building the backbone, one piece at a time, By FF Tusubira, UbuntuNet Alliance CEO |
| 0905-0925 | Keynote Address: Opening New Frontiers for Research and Education Networking in Africa, By Z. Kadzamira, UbuntuNet Alliance Chairman |
| 0925-0950 | Speech by the Guest of Honour and Official Opening, Hon. Aggrey Awori, Minister of ICT, Uganda |
| 0950-1030 | Group photograph and Health Break |
| 1030-1245 | Sub-theme 1: Infrastructure, Network Deployment and Operations, Session Chair: Steve Song |
| 1030–1100 | Keynote Presentation:It’s all about sharing… Co-operation and sharing, By Duncan Martin, TENET CEO and UbuntuNet Alliance Board member |
| 1100-1115 | Deploying RENU, By Joseph Kimali, RENU |
| 1115-1130 | Video Conferencing over limited links: the GLOBAL Project, By Margaret Ngwira and Tiwonge Banda, UbuntuNet Alliance |
| 1130-1155 | Pitfalls and challenges in deploying national and regional networks: experiences from Europe, By Cathrin Stover, DANTE |
| 1155-1210 | Discussion |
| 1210-1235 | Pitfalls and challenges in deploying national and regional networks: experiences from the USA, By Don Riley, University of Maryland |
| 1235-1245 | Discussion |
| 1245-1345 | Lunch Break |
| 1345-1530 | Sub-theme 2: Approaches and Initiatives for Regional and International Connectivity, Session Chair: Albert Nsengiyumva |
| 1345-1405 | African Internet eXchange System (AXIS), By Eric Osiakwan, Executive Secretary, AfrISPA |
| 1405-1425 | Discussion |
| 1425-1440 | AfricaConnect and EU Support, By Carmen Mena-Abela, European Union Representative |
| 1440-1500 | AfricaConnect Feasibility Study (FEAST), By Bjorn Pehrson |
| 1500-1525 | Discussion |
| 1525-1545 | Health Break |
| 1545-1600 | SEACOM Update, By JP de Leu, SEACOM Representative |
| 1600-1615 | Discussion |
| 1615-1630 | EASSy Update, By Ryan Sher, WIOCC Representative |
| 1630-1645 | Discussion |
| 1800-2100 | Cultural gala and cocktail, Uganda Communication Commission |
| DAY 2 | |
| 0815-1020 | Sub-theme 3: Bringing Content Networks on Board, Session Chair: Dr. Nora Mulira, DICTS DIRECTOR |
| 0815–0825 | A task for NREN’s: Application Support and Services, By Gerti Foest, DFN- Verein |
| 0825–0840 | Discussion |
| 0840–0910 | Challenges and solutions to sharing Library content, By Maria Musoke, Librarian, Makerere University |
| 0910–0920 | Discussion |
| 0920–0940 | Applications and content in Agriculture, By Nodumo Dhlamini and Wellington Okaya, RUFORUM |
| 0940–0950 | Discussion |
| 0950–1010 | IT Applications and content in health sciences, By Nelson Sewankambo (Principal, College of Health Sciences, Makerere Univ) |
| 1010–1020 | Discussion |
| 1020–1045 | Health Break |
| 1045–1105 | Malawian Light House Demonstrators, By Bruce Zamaere, University of Malawi, College of Medicine |
| 1105–1115 | Discussion |
| 1145–1245 | Sub-theme 4: Policy, regulation, and government support, SessionChair: Patrick Masambu |
| 1145–1205 | Overcoming policy and regulatory challenges to NREN development, By Abi Jagun |
| 1205–1215 | From Agent to licenced NREN operator, By Duncan Martin |
| 1215–1235 | KENET – KEnya Education Network – KENET Presentation Ubuntunet Connect, By Meoli Kashorda and Kevin Chiege, KENET |
| 1235 – 1245 | 4R Impact Mode, 4R Impact Model: Envisages the Impact of Telecommunications Policy and Regulations on NREN’s including NREN’s in construction, By Jameson Mbale |
| 1245 | Summing up and closing, Dr. Patrick Mangheni |