1. 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,

2. The Arab World

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

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

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

6. 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

7. e-Infrastructure resources

8. 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

9. RCN/ JADI cable systems
RDC Tbps
JADI – 200 Gbps

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

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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

15. ASRENOrg.net