SLREN Stakeholder Workshop

Africa/Freetown
Conference Centre (Njala University)

Conference Centre

Njala University

Njala University Njala Campus Sierra Leone West Africa
Description
The purpose of the workshop is to engage key stakeholders in research and education, including Vice Chancellors & Principals, Researchers, ICT Directors/Managers, Ministries and Departmental Agencies (MDAs), Donor Agencies in Sierra Leone and the WACREN leadership regarding the establishment of a National Research and Education Network in Sierra Leone (SLREN). The workshop will further discuss the need for Sierra Leone joining the West and Central African Research and Education Network (WACREN). The aim is to secure high speed and affordable Internet connectivity for the Sierra Leone research and education community in Gb/s rather than in Kb/s.
Pictures
Proceedings
    • 17:00 21:00
      Arrival of delegates
      • 19:00
        Meet and Greet Cocktail 2h
    • 08:30 09:00
      Registration
    • 09:00 10:40
      Opening Session
      Convener: Ms Memunatu Pratt (Department of Peace & Conflict Studies, USL)
      • 09:00
        Call to order – Introductions and Welcome remarks from the Registrar, Njala University 10m
        Speaker: Mr Aly Turay
      • 09:10
        Welcome address from the Vice Chancellor & Principal, Njala University 10m
        Speaker: Prof. Ernest T Ndomahina
      • 09:20
        Welcome remarks from the Vice Chancellor & Principal, University of Sierra Leone 10m
        Speaker: Prof. Ekundayo Thompson
      • 09:30
        Goodwill messages (3 minutes each): State House, MEST, MIC, World Bank, SALCAB 15m
      • 09:45
        Speech from Minister of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) or Representative 15m
        Speaker: Dr Minkilu Bah
      • 10:00
        Speech from Minister of Information & Communications (MIC) or Representative 15m
        Speaker: Cornilious Devaux
      • 10:15
        Keynote address from CEO of the West & Central Africa Research & Education Network (WACREN) 20m
        Speaker: Dr Boubakar Barry (WACREN)
        Slides
    • 10:40 11:00
      Health break / Group Photos 20m
    • 11:00 13:00
      The NREN as a Tool for National Development
      Conveners: Andaleeb Jahan Alam (World Bank Country Representative), Daniel Kanu (Commissioner, Right to Access Information Commission)
      • 11:00
        Fiber Optic Broadband Connectivity 20m
        The economic benefits of fiber optic broadband to Sierra Leone - An overview of current fiber optic broadband
        Speaker: Mohamed Jalloh (e-governance Coordinator, Ministry of Information & Communication)
        Slides
      • 11:20
        Fiber Optic Broadband Cost Model 20m
        An overview of fiber optic implementation, Access and Affordability/Tariffs
        Speaker: Mohamed Sheriff/Sewah (MD, Sierra Leone Cable Company (SALCAB))
      • 11:40
        Closing the Digital Divide in Sierra Leone Tertiary & Research Institutions 35m
        The Case for a National Research & education Network (SLREN)
        Speaker: Mr Thomas Songu (Njala University, SierraLeone)
        Slides
      • 12:15
        Tour of Fiber optic Point of Presence – Njala Campus 45m
    • 13:00 14:00
      Lunch 1h
    • 14:00 15:00
      SLREN Implementation Roadmap
      Conveners: Prof. Ekundayo Thompson (Vice-Chancellor & Principal, USL), Prof. Miriam Conteh-Morgan (Librarian, IPSM, USL)
      proceedings