The Role and Status of National Research and Education Networks in Africa

Foley, Michael

World Bank, Washington, DC

关键词: NREN;    governance;    education consortia;    higher education;    tertiary education;   

RP-ID  :  113114

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

The aim of this report is to provideguidance to governments, institutions, and developmentpartners on how to approach the provision of advancedinformation and communication technology (ICT) services tothe higher education and research community in Africa. Thetiming is appropriate as it coincides with a transformationin the telecom infrastructure and services on the continentas fiber optic connectivity, both undersea and on land, isexpanding at a rapid pace. The premise of the report thatthe organization of ICT services and connectivity is bestprovided by a dedicated organization called the NationalResearch and Education Network (NREN) is based oninternational best practice and the current plans of thestakeholders in the region. In the following pages, thenature of NRENs and the case for their establishment isoutlined and the story of their development in Africa up totheir current status is described in operation of NRENs arediscussed as a prelude to a guidance note on how to go aboutestablishing or strengthening an NREN, with recommendationsto the government, the private sector, institutions, anddevelopment partners.