eGY General Meeting March Boulder, Colorado Alem Mebrahtu Mekelle University Physics Department Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia The Electronic Geophysical Year,

What has been done? A. Ethiopian Level i.Awareness creation ii.Establish a national forum: “eGY Ethiopia” B. African Level i.Efforts to reach out people ii.Attempt reach AU (NEPAD) officials Communication with the int. community The Electronic Geophysical Year Africa

The Electronic Geophysical Year Africa Challenges I.Poor connectivity II.Limited knowledge in ICT (computer admin.) III.Funding IV.Sustainability of eGY Africa

The Electronic Geophysical Year Africa Opportunities i.Interest of faculty members and students ii.Commitment from University administrators (letter from the president of MU) iii.National leaders and the private sector are showing interests toward ICT & Space Science: NEPAD initiative on Tele-education, medicine and Internet Connectivity (Funded by India) iv. Willingness and interest from the international community (IHY and EGY communities)

Sululta to get 91M Eth Birr (10 M US$) ICT University February 28, 2008 (Fiche-Ethiopia) News A ground breaking ceremony was held for the construction of a 91 million Birr Information Communication Technology (ICT) University in Sululta town, at the suburb of the Capital. The University would be constructed jointly by the Ethiopian and the South Korean governments. The University that will be constructed to commemorate Ethiopian soldiers who sacrificed their lives while serving under the UN during the Korean War.

What to do next? i. Establish national eGY Africa groups (forums) ii. Develop strong link among African Scientific Networks (national groups) etc, and with int. groups ( ( iii.Organize regional and national trainings etc. iv. Reach out funding organizations v. Find out what other bodies have related interests and what programs they run in Africa vi. Lobby the AU(NEPAD) to have a policy to improve Internet capabilities in African Universities Work with existing National Education and Research Networks

The Electronic Geophysical Year Africa Quote from letter of the president of MU “Dear eGY Community, I would like to inform you that we support the eGY Meeting and we will include eGY Africa as one of the major international activities of our University. On behalf of the Mekelle University and myself I wish you a great meeting in Boulder. Please also come and visit the Mekelle University” Prof. Dr. Mitiku Haile, Mekelle University President He also expressed the commitment of MU to collaborate with institutions represented at this meeting

The Electronic Geophysical Year Africa Thank you all !!