23 year old computer scientist and researcher, Akuzike Ellina Banda did not envision she would soon be in company of over 20 fellow researchers and scientists from across the world for over 5 days doing nothing but exchange research ideas and experiences.
But thanks to the Emerging NREN programme organized by the European research and education network, GEANT, Akuzike found herself in Tallinn from 15th to 21 June 2019, the venue for TNC19, where she was part of a special group of participants drawn from up and coming NRENs and paired with GEANT or advanced NREN personnel to facilitate knowledge sharing and build relationships.
Akuzike, who also made a lighting talk on RotaVirus on Tuesday, was in Tallinn under the auspices of UbuntuNet Alliance which takes part in the programme with the aim of promoting emerging NRENs from its region.
“I am very delighted to be here and to be part of the group, to share with colleagues what research is going on in other parts of the world and to build important networks that I think will be useful in my career as a researcher and scientist,” said Akuzike after the conference.
Akuzike became a second participant to attend TNC under the Emerging NREN Programme courtesy of UbuntuNet Alliance. In 2018, the Alliance sponsored a researcher from iRENALA, the NREN of Madagascar to attend TNC18 in Norway.