Boosting universities and research centers: NRENs and RRENs are SMART Sabine Jaume-Rajaonia Strategy Director - RENATER

Why is RENATER involved in the development of NRENs in Africa?

A journey from France… to Europe … to the World

RENATER, the French NREN Signatory of a MoU with WACREN since 2011 Transfer of knowledge / expertise WACREN NRENs invited to RENATER national conference Member of WACREN Pragmatic approach : collaboration with 2 French research centers (CIRAD and IRD) also located in Africa Focus on Francophone countries Cooperation with AFD NREN roadmap prepared for E&R ministries in Madagascar, Cameroun, Côte Ivoire Looking forward collaborating with UbuntuNet

So how do NRENs and RRENs boost universities and research centers?

Challenges Africa has a great challenge ahead in terms of education as its population is very young need to develop (e-)education, need to provide access to educational content Research is more and more multidisciplinary and a digital divide may lead to scientific divide need to access to research instruments/supercomputers/datacenters need to develop collaboration with international peers

NRENs key enablers and vehicles for progress and excellence A national e-infrastructure providing both a secure “high bandwidth” network and a portfolio of services is driven by education & research communities needs Based on putting resources together and sharing costs Helps foster international collaboration Protects scientific, education, cultural heritage Contributes to lowering the digital divide (foot print, shared costs, …) And has societal and economic impacts

NRENs : national organisation part of an international eco-system NREN primary do focus on fulfilling the needs of their users But are part of a larger eco-systems : the Regional Research and Education Network (RREN) Provides International connectivity Provides services Offers opportunities for collaboration NRENs are part of the RREN governance and cost sharing models Moreover, RRENs interconnect regions of the world together to offer global connectivity.

« Smart » is Specific NRENs and RRENs are dedicated to R&E users a unique target, with needs ranging from mail to access to databases of supercomputing + a demanding target, requesting agility and “tailored” offers Dedicated infrastructure and services (Acceptable use policy, equity principles…) User support and transfer of knowledge (trainings, conferences) NRENs are more than a network : they benefit from their government support.  Universities and Research Centers are at the heart of NREN strategies

« sMart » is Measurable impact of connecting R&E users to NRENs are measurable Cost savings Efficiency of Network and services (illustrated with KPIs and user’s satisfaction surveys) Risk mitigation (implementation of security policies/services, authentication tools,…)  Universities and Research Centers benefit form high professional services

« smArt » is Agreed & Achievable Respectively at their national and regional levels, NRENs and RRENs have governance models in place (General assembly, Board...etc). Which decide on clear objectives, shared, and agreed in order to be pragmatically implemented with available resources Universities and Research Centers can impact of the strategic decisions of their national NREN. Not just “customers” – “partners”

« smaRt » is Realistic NRENs and RRENs develop in complex and different environments: in terms of policies (telecom market maturity and regulation) funding opportunities … Good collaboration between Users & their NREN and between NREN & its RRENs has to be as “realistic” as possible : “one size doesn’t fit all” Needs communication, good understanding of challenges/constraints, finding compromises… 3/5 years planning of activities Benchmark in the community (other NREN or RREN) is of good help

« smarT » is TRUST « Win Win » In summary Universities and Research Centers belong to a trust framework User  NREN RREN  Users are the key stakeholders and NREN, RREN do their best to fulfill all ”digital” needs to ensure performing network and infrastructures to remain cost effective « Win Win »

« We are stronger together » Merci – Thank You « We are stronger together »