Theme: Infrastructure – Innovation – Inclusion

Authors are invited to submit 500 word abstracts for presentation at UbuntuNet-Connect 2014, the 7th Annual Conference of the UbuntuNet Alliance. The UbuntuNet-Connect series of conferences has been held for the past 6 years and is regarded as one of the premier conferences in Africa. This year the conference will take place from 13 to 14 November 2014 in Lusaka, Zambia and will be hosted by Zambia Research and Education Network (ZAMREN), the NREN of Zambia.

The AfricaConnect project has rolled out the regional UbuntuNet network, establishing points of presence in major African cities of the member countries and interconnecting then with broadband cross-border links. Researchers, educators and students are now connected. This high speed data communication infrastructure is creating opportunities for innovation and inclusion. UbuntuNet-Connect 2014 will provide the appropriate forum to showcase best practice, research, projects, initiatives and progress in research and education networking in Africa and beyond.

Authors are invited to submit abstracts of proposed unpublished papers that, if accepted, will lead to papers publishable in the proceedings.  Abstracts should address the following or closely related sub-themes:

Subtheme 1: Access to education through innovative use of new networked resources

• e-Learning platforms and resources
• Access to library resources to expanding on and off campus student numbers: digital repositories, building e-libraries, authentication of users
• Uptake and marketing and attitudinal change of Faculty in exploitation of new opportunities in course delivery

Subtheme 2: Issues for transformation in NRENs

• NREN business models
• NREN network security
• New NREN services
• Technical capacity building 
• Authentication and Authorisation Infrastructures for users

Subtheme 3: Innovations at global level

• Big Data and Data management
• Interoperability of systems
• Re-interrogation of data sets using new methodologies

Subtheme 4: Experiences of researchers in using advanced network applications

• Content networks
• Success stories from researchers in using the new technologies. This could focus on specific disciplines such as e-agriculture, e-biology, e-culture, etc
• Science Gateways

The 500 word abstracts clearly indicating the key message to be shared should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. not later than 31st July 2014. Abstracts for papers collaboratively authored are encouraged and welcome. The Abstracts will be double blind peer reviewed by an international panel. Successful authors will be asked to prepare full papers which will be published in the Proceedings and report of the UbuntuNet Alliance annual conference ISSN 2223-7062.

The Conference will be preceded by several other events with varying participation limitations.  These include:

• Technical Workshop for Engineers;
• Executive Workshop for the CEOs of member NRENs;
• AfricaConnect Administrative Meeting;
• Executive Committee; and Board of the Alliance Meeting;
• Pre-Conference Workshop on Applications

The UbuntuNet-Connect events provide major commercial and publicity opportunity for services and technology companies. A separate invitation will be issued for those who want to be billed as conference sponsors

Enquiries should be addressed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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