eGY-Africa Discussion How to advance the Cyber-infrastructure for Science in Africa

1. IHY-Africa Space Weather S&E Workshop, Addis Ababa,12 Nov 2007 eGY-Africa Discussion How to advance the Cyber-infrastructure for Science in Africa Panel Monique Petitdidier, CETP/CNRS, France (EGEE) Victor Chukwuma, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Nigeria Abebe Kebede, North Carolina A&T University Les Cottrell, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, Menlo Park Charles Barton, Australian National University (eGY) eGY-Africa Discussion, Addis Ababa

2. Discussion Agenda 1. Panel introductions2. Present status - questionaire3. What do we need from the Internet?4. What can the international science community do to help?5. Participation6. Develop the draft plan (next steps) eGY-Africa Discussion, Addis Ababa

3. eGY-Africa Management team: Victor Chukwume (Nigeria), Monique Petitdidier (France, EGEE), Abebe Kibede (USA), Colin Reeves (The Netherlands), Jean-Pierre Tchouanchoue (Cameroun), Victor Rochon (Purdue U.), Charles Barton (Australia, eGY), …. others? Help improve the cyber-infrastructure for science in AfricaUse the voice of the international scientific community- map present status and problem- choose how and where we can help- exert influence- promote coordination and synergies eGY-Africa Discussion, Addis Ababa

4. Aim of the discussion 1. Inform people about the eGY-Africa proposal2. Seek opinions about it3. Promote interest in it4. Find people willing to participate4. Develop the draft plan (next steps) eGY-Africa Discussion, Addis Ababa

5. Inspirational goal Make African communities wealthier, safer, and more sustainable through full participation in the information revolution. But, …. participation in the information revolution is conditional on the existence of a cyber-infrastructure to connect people and machines to the world community and the vast resources of information and services that exist. This is particularly important for scientists and technologists who have the responsibility of producing and using information and knowledge to inform decision-makers and deliver societal benefits. Modern ICT (Information & Communications Technology) is marketed as a quickly implemented, low-cost way for poor communities to share on equal terms with rich ones the benefits of the information revolution. In practice, the digital divide is growing and denying poor countries access to those very benefits. The situation is particularly acute in Universities, where internet services are commonly poorer than in those provided (at high cost) through the private sector. eGY-Africa Discussion, Addis Ababa

6. Panel introductions Charles Barton: eGY-AfricaVictor Chukwuma: The inspirational goalAbebe Kibede Network in AfricaMonique Petitdidier Grid infrastructure for AfricaLes Cottrell: Internet performance in Africa? eGY-Africa Discussion, Addis Ababa

7. Survey of present status Monique Petitdidier: Development and progress of the survey questionaire.Discussion to get audience feedback from particular countries/regions concerning:Q1. What infrastructure is there that successfully serves the needs of the scientific community, and on which we can build?Q2. What infrastructure exists that does not directly serve the needs of the scientific community (e.g., Internet cafés vs. university facilities)?Q3. What are the main obstacles to getting better internet access for scientists? (e.g., lack of computers, internet access costs, inadequate backbones, …) eGY-Africa Discussion, Addis Ababa

8. What do we need most from the Internet? Abebe Kebede: communication with national and colleaguescommunication with international colleaguesaccess to electronic literature (journals)participation in national events and projectsparticipation in international events and projectsdata discovery and access for research (VOs)access to Web services, software, analytical toolsdata recovery from instrument arraysaccess to teaching materialsoutreach – informing othersmarketing – promotion of facilities, opportunities, courses, …. eGY-Africa Discussion, Addis Ababa

9. How can the international science community help? Charles Barton: Discussion among the panel and audience, with special attention to questions such as:1. Do we share and commit to the inspirational goal?2. What assets (weapons) does the international scientific community have, and how can they be used to help secure a better cyber-infrastructure for science?3. How shall we organize ourselves as a group in order to take the next steps4. What steps next?5. What support shall we request from IUGG’s GIA program?6. What website capabilities do we need?7. Is it helpful to maintain an editable list of what is going on?8. Identify key liaison persons for each country/region9. Other key person to invite as participants. eGY-Africa Discussion, Addis Ababa

10. If you wish to participate ... Send a request to: cebarton@gmail.comAccess archived information at www.egy.orgAccess working documents at http://groups.google.com/group/egyafricaCommunicate using eGYAfrica@googlegroups.com eGY-Africa Discussion, Addis Ababa