UbuntuNet-Connect 2020

Preparations for the UbuntuNet-Connect 2020 are going on steadily. As announced last month, the conference will be held virtually from 18 to 20 November 2020. The theme for this year will be: Positioning Research and Education During Crises.

 The rationale for this theme is as follows:

National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) exist in 38 countries in Africa – albeit at different stages of development – with the primary role of connecting research and education institutions and providing them with other value-added services driving digital transformation. When the Covid-19 pandemic spread around the globe, while education and research institutions in the global north immediately moved their activities online, peer institutions in most of Africa  shut down, sending millions of learners home and disrupting their education.

The reaction of the African research and education community to Covid-19 clearly shows that the institutions were not ready to handle crises of that magnitude. UbuntuNet-Connect 2020 will therefore be held around the theme: Positioning research and education during crises. The conference will feature presentations from Africa and around the world discussing solutions, proposals, projects, initiatives and ideas on how to position Africa’s research and education networking community to be able to handle crises and pandemics.

The conference theme has been broken down into the following sub themes:

• Sub-theme 1 - Off-campus Connectivity and Innovation: With universities closed, internet bandwidth provided by the NREN is unused yet. Presentations will focus on innovations that deliver connectivity to students and staff off-campus to allow for learning and research to continue remotely during times of crises.
• Sub-theme 2 - Policy, Governance (digital transformation) and Partnerships: For any digital transformation to take off, it has to start with leadership setting the stage and putting in place the right policies and IT governance structures. Presentations will focus on case studies, policies, ideas and projects promoting digital transformation. The sub-theme will also include presentations about ongoing projects showcasing collaborations.
• Sub-theme 3 - Tools and Services: Presentations will include innovative digital tools and services that are or can be used to continue teaching, learning and research activities in times of crisis.
• Sub-theme 4 - Best practices in e-Learning and Remote Working: Crises force people to stay at home. Presentations will focus on case studies, projects, initiatives and best practice in e-learning and working from home.

Participation is free. For further details and to register for the conference, visit the conference website: https://events.ubuntunet.net/event/37/