Prospects for Pan Arab e-Infrastructure for Supporting Research Salem Al-Agtash, Ph.D. Arab States Research and Education Network/ German Jordanian University - Jordan INDICATE – Ankara, 16.10.2012 alagtash@ASRENOrg.net

The Arab World

Insights ~ 200 M Arab youth ~ 1000 Arab institutions: 20 M Students (9M in universities) ~ 20% in Science and Technology ~ 2% doctorate students ~ 0.2-0.5% of total GDP for R&D expenditure

Outline ASREN Overview Status of Arab e-infrastructures and connectivity Towards developing regional connectivity Future realization Realization Overview Status Next 2004 - 12 2012 2013 > 2014

Milestones EUMEDCONNECT, 2004 --> [1], [2], [3] PAN Arab Network, 2005 Rome Declaration 2006 - CAMREN NAP, the Network Access Points 2007 ASREN, 2010 - Brussels, Cairo ASREN GmbH, 2011 – Dusseldorf Shareholders: Abu-Ghazaleh & Consulting GmbH Jordan University Network Moroccan CNRST Sudan REN Tunisia REN Palestine REN Somal REN

Key challenges and drivers Regional research lags significantly Regional collaboration is unrealized Research portfolio is dynamic Potential for more scientific activities Resources are enormous Potential for innovation is vast Development of human capital and enhanced research infrastructure are critical to enabling a further growth

e-Infrastructure resources

Interconnecting Arab States National R&E Networks Regional connectivity of Arab NREN’s towards a better future growth and prosperity Initial interconnectivity model Internet Géant Internet2 Other NREN ASREN DANTE/ London Palestine PALEN Ankabut Morocco CNRS Algeria - ARN

RCN/ JADI cable systems RDC - 12.8 Tbps JADI – 200 Gbps

SEA-ME-WE 4 cable system The South East Asia-Middle East-West Europe 4

With activation of various affordable cable systems (e. g With activation of various affordable cable systems (e.g. RDC, JADI, TGN-Gulf, IMEWE, SMW-4, etc. ) Capacity prices would fall, then More and more Arab NREN’s will connect with each other and become a hub between continents Governments enforce low Tariffs and subsidize for the Last mile connection to local NRENs Hopes

Interconnecting Regional RENs Internet Géant, Internet2 and RENs worldwide ASREN WACREN UbuntuNet

A logical topology Could be cost efficient to rest on two or three regional hubs Fujairah Smarthub could be emerging as an aggregation of important R&E landings

Summary Increasing interest in building regional Arab R&E network as globalization of e-Infrastructure became inevitable – Strength Lack of physical connection and no regional network of collaboration - Weakness Continuing of EC funding on regional efforts for e-Infrastructure and a growing excellence of Arab research portfolio - Opportunity Lack of vision and motivation at the regional policy level – Threat

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