TUNIS---- December 13, 2013---- The 3rd “International Platform on Integrating Arab e-infrastructure in a Global Environment, e-AGE 2013” concluded under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Moncef Ben Salem, Tunisian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and chaired by His Excellency Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh. His Excellency the Secretary General of the League of Arab States was represented by Her Excellency Ambassador Faeqa Al-Saleh.
The theme of e-AGE 2013 will focuses on Connectivity, Access and Innovation. More than 200 delegates representing more than 30 countries and representatives of the League of Arab States, World bank, European Commission and other international agencies, decision makers, academics, network professionals, researchers, scientists, government officials, enterprises and NGOs.
“It has been recognized that the Arab region has attained a certain level of development towards developing advanced e-Infrastructure and it is important for the Arab States Research and Education Network – ASREN to make use of its current potential in strengthening research connectivity and make it available for use on a regional scale” noted HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, Chairman of ASREN after being received by the Tunisian Minister of Higher Education.
The meetings aim at emphasizing on the necessity of establishing education and research networks in the Arab world as well as enhancing cooperation opportunities between the current networks in order to link researchers and academies on one hand, and to provide them with services on the other.
The following represent the main conclusions:
- To accelerate the integration of Arab e-infrastructure and connecting them with the European, the US, the Latin American, and the African research and education Networks through three main exchange points in London, Fujaira, and Alexandria.
- To continue to support the development of research and education infrastructure in Lebanon, Bahrian, and Iraq.
- To continue to support peering of emerging networks in Qatar and Oman.
- To continue to support and initiate concrete discussions with Yemen and Libya towards taking concrete steps in developing their national e-Infrastructures
- To emphasize the importance to extend effective participation of ASREN, integrate Arab unified e-infrastructure and promote the role of research and education communities in the Arab world.
During the conference, a memorandum of understanding between the Iraq Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Arab States Research and Education Network was signed to strengthen cooperation towards developing a national research and education network in Iraq and support the development of services and applications.
