The eastern and southern Africa region waited long for the deployment of the reliable regional data communication e-infrastructure that is now coming online through AfricaConnect and the expansion of the UbuntuNet network.  With burgeoning youthful population and low access rates to higher education in eastern and southern Africa, the potential for improvements in education delivery through creative use of new information technology resources is endless. In addition, the network presents many possibilities in research, including enabling regional and global collaboration  for researchers in addressing issues of national and regional significance. In both, NRENs are perceived as key players nationally. The annual UbuntuNet-Connect conference provides the appropriate forum to showcase progress in research and education networking in Africa.

Papers are invited on research and best practice that take advantage of the opportunities that are presenting themselves to the research and education community as the network roles out and the role of NRENs at national level in the process. The papers may describe completed research, or relevant case studies or projects; (they should not normally describe planned research). Papers collaboratively authored are especially welcome, including those with an international perspective as benchmarking and learning from each other – which is part of what UbuntuNet is about. Papers that do not specifically fit under any of these sub-themes, but respond to the main conference theme, are also welcome.

UbuntuNet-Connect 2013 is the 6th UbuntuNet Alliance annual conference in the UbuntuNet-Connect conference series. It will be hosted by Rwanda Education Network (RwEdNet), the NREN of Rwanda. Enquiries should be addressed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Click here to read more