SLREN Stakeholder Workshop

25 Apr 2016, 08:00 → 26 Apr 2016, 18:00 Africa/Freetown

Conference Centre (Njala University)

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 Some photographs of the event

Proceedings Report on SLREN Stakeholder Workhop SLREN declaration adopted at the SLREN Stakeholder Workshop

Monday, 25 April

17:00 → 21:00 Arrival of delegates

19:00 Meet and Greet Cocktail

Tuesday, 26 April

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

Speaker: Mr Aly Turay

09:10 Welcome address from the Vice Chancellor & Principal, Njala University

Speaker: Prof. Ernest T Ndomahina

09:20 Welcome remarks from the Vice Chancellor & Principal, University of Sierra Leone

Speaker: Prof. Ekundayo Thompson

09:30 Goodwill messages (3 minutes each): State House, MEST, MIC, World Bank, SALCAB

09:45 Speech from Minister of Education, Science and Technology (MEST) or Representative

Speaker: Dr Minkilu Bah

10:00 Speech from Minister of Information & Communications (MIC) or Representative

Speaker: Cornilious Devaux

10:15 Keynote address from CEO of the West & Central Africa Research & Education Network (WACREN)

Speaker: Dr Boubakar Barry (WACREN)

Slides Boubakar_Barry_SLREN_Workshop_Njala0416.pdf

10:40 → 11:00 Health break / Group Photos

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

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 BroadbandBenefit-Njala.pdf

11:20 Fiber Optic Broadband Cost Model

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

The Case for a National Research & education Network (SLREN)

Speaker: Mr Thomas Songu (Njala University, SierraLeone)

Slides SLREN_BUSINESS_CASE_FINAL.pdf

12:15 Tour of Fiber optic Point of Presence – Njala Campus

13:00 → 14:00 Lunch

14:00 → 15:00 SLREN Implementation Roadmap

Conveners: Prof. Ekundayo Thompson (Vice-Chancellor & Principal, USL), Prof. Miriam Conteh-Morgan (Librarian, IPSM, USL)

proceedings SLREN declaration adopted at the SLREN Stakeholder Workshop