Tusu,
I like this idea of comparing our NRENs approaches
to OSI layers, may
be we should suggest the 8th upper layer and call it Human network!
On the other hand, I beleive that the major challenge
of initiating
human networks especially in the area of ICT is the lack of
understanding that many of the stakeholders are facing. To me, I think
that while developing strategies for human networks let's initiate some
pratical activities so that people can be exposed and understand why it
is so important to come together and share a common interest.
Regards
Albert
--- F F Tusubira <tusu@dicts.mak.ac.ug> wrote:
> Dear Colleagues,
>
> I have been keeping track of all discussions,
though not saying as
> much as I am wont to. I have however been
tickled by Steve:
> His definition is
> precisely what we have been pushing for.
It ascends above the 7th OSI
> layer, the logical starting area. Unfortunately,
we all too often
> focus on the bottom layer....
>
> Thanks Steve.
>
> On another note, let us not confine ourselves
to government
> endorsement as a pre-condition. It is desirable,
but should not stop
> development partners working with an existing
network (in the sense
> stated by Steve) of universities that are able
to move ahead in
> acquiring the necessary low level hard and soft
infrastructure to
> enable or support network activities. Such
a network then becomes a
> focal point for securing government endorsement.
>
> Tusu
>
> At 18:03 19/05/2005 -0400, you wrote:
> >Hi Don,
> >
> >Thanks and welcome to the discussion!
> >
> >On Wed, 2005-11-05 at 21:00 -0400, Don Riley
wrote:
>><snip>
> > > Regarding John Martin's definition of
an NREN,
> I would add a little
> > > to what Steve provided, based upon some
> additional interaction I had
> > > with John afterwards. It
went beyond just
> design, but included
> > > providing and managing the services
provided.
> The NREN definition
> > > that John mentioned was contained in
a report to
> the EU (not public),
> > > and was along the following lines:
> > > ... a single national organisation,
supported
> by the responsible
> > > government department or agency, that
provides
> the
> > > networking infrastructure and services
to the
> research and education
> > > community in its geographic area.
> >
> >I've written to John to ask him to join the
list so
> that he can
> >hopefully join in this thread.
> >
> >The key insight that I got from his definition
was
> the importance, from
> >the point of view of legitimacy, of having
national
> government sanction
> >for a single body in each African country
to take
> responsibility for the
> >R&E networking agenda. It highlighted
for me how
> strategic NRENs are
> >going to be in the development of R&E
networking on
> the continent.
> >
> > > The remarks that Duncan Martin made
were part of
> a report on the
> > > current status of the few NRENs that
do exist
> (most countries do not
> > > have one). However, I don't
believe Duncan was
> advocating that this
> > > is right. But it needs to be recognized.
> Current political,
> > > regulatory and legal environment with
respect to
>communications
> > > infrastructure and services have limited
> development of both
> > > commercial internet and NREN type activity.
> However, developing the
> > > kind of infrastructure needed for supporting
> modern educational
> > > environments and research and other
> collaborations with colleagues in
> > > other counties (inside and outside Africa)
is an
> important obective.
> > > Current status quo with respect to development
> of appropriate NREN
> > > type infrastructure and service will
limit the
> potential of the
> > > institutions and their faculty and students
--
> and economic
> > > development opportunties
> >
> >We all share the goal of better, faster, cheaper
> academic networks for
> >African universities. In order to achieve
this, it
> seems to me that
> >human networks must drive the development
of
> physical/digital networks.
> >My own, perhaps idiosyncratic, working definition
> of NRENs and regional
> >RENs in Africa is that they are simply the
human
> networks who will drive
> >forward the African R&E agenda.
So, in that sense
> I am thinking (for
> >the time being) of NRENs and regional RENs
as the
> human capital and
> >organisational structures that will
make this all
> happen. What
> >specific formal responsibilities African NRENs
> ultimately take on I
> >expect to be the subject of evolving national
and
> regional dialogues.
> >
> >Best regards... Steve
> >
> >
> >
> >---
> >Submitted by: Steve Song <ssong@idrc.ca>
Please reply directly to
> >submitter for private
>communication.
> >You are currently subscribed to aubc-l as:
>[tusu@dicts.mak.ac.ug]
> >To unsubscribe, forward this message to
>%%email.unsub%%
>
> F F Tusubira
> Director
> Directorate for ICT Support
> Makerere University
> Tel +256 41 531437
>
> "Be the change you want to see in the world"
- Mahatma Gandhi
>
>
> ---
> Submitted by: F F Tusubira <tusu@dicts.mak.ac.ug>
Please reply
> directly to submitter for private communication.
> You are currently subscribed to aubc-l as:
>[albert_nsengi@yahoo.com]
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>
>
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1. PLANNING & Fundraising PHASE
