Strategies for Improving Internet access in African Higher Education and

Research Institutions (AHERIs)

Alem Mebrahtu

eGYAfrica SecretaryMekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia

eGYAfrica Workshop: better Internet connectivity for research and

education in AfricaAccra, 24-25 November 2010

Outline of the talk

• Introduction

• Barriers to access the Internet

• Consequences of the no/poor Internet access

• Strategies for improving Internet access in AHERIs

• Way forward

• Conclusion

The eGYAfrica was initiated during the Electronic Geophysical Year (eGY) to improve Internet access for scientists and educators in African Universities and similar institutions.

With the same goals, the eGYAfrica is proposed in 2007 in Addis Ababa during the IHY workshop

It is consolidated during the 2008 general eGY meeting in Boulder, Colorado

IntroductionIntroduction

The digital divide problem is greater in Africa than elsewhere, and the gap is widening.

Despite the new opportunities for collaboration and sharing of data and resources offered by modern ICT, the reality in Africa is that scientists, educators, and other researchers are becoming increasingly marginalized from mainstream developments elsewhere in the world.

Introduction …contd…Introduction …contd…

It is now well understood by many that the internet has become an indispensable tool in the twenty first century.

Although the internet is growing rapidly in much of the world, the international digital divide is still significant and is even getting wider/bigger particularly in the African continent

In less developed countries, the development of Internet connectivity is usually slowed by a lack of appropriate facilities, trained manpower, budget etc.

Introduction …contd…Introduction …contd…

“All of African countries have Internet connectivity, the challenge now is to broaden access and ensure that costs are brought down. Usage is still low and communication charges are often 10 - 100 times more expensive than developed countries, mainly due to the lack of infrastructure and the high prices charged by operators taking advantage of the restrictions on market entry that are in place in most countries” Independent IT, Internet and Telecom Consultant (http://www.suvabay.com/)

Introduction …contd…Introduction …contd…

The main barriers to accessing the Internet in African HE&RIs include: Lack of proper awarenessliteracy EducationFacilities (computers, switches, wireless facilities etc)Limited economic purchasing power/costs,Infrastructure (telephone lines, etc.)

Barriers for better Internet accessBarriers for better Internet access

In recent years, through the different initiatives and efforts, the Higher education and research institutions in Africa are making significant progress toward decreasing these barriers by improving their access to the Internet

The consequence of Lack of access in general hampers the development activities in Africa and elsewhere

Scientists and researchers are deprived of access to latest findings as they get access to journals and online materials

Some of the consequences of the no/poor Internet access

Some of the consequences of the no/poor Internet access

Strategies for improving Internet access in AHERIs

The basic strategy should be designed with the intention of addressing the barriers discussed previously

i. Establish national and regional groups

ii.Build awareness on policy makers starting from the AU down to the universities so that they will be able to – understand and be convinced in its role and

support for education, research and community service

Strategies for improving Internet ...– assign the necessary budget– ultimately invest on the cyber infrastructure

iii. Motivate/teach staff and researchers to use the already existing Internet access optimally and convince their leaders about the role of the Internet by doing it practically and then push for more.

iv. Improve the– poor Cyber Infrastructure & Internet Connectivity

– limited Knowledge in Computer Administration such as updating, networking, virus treatment

– capacity/capability for computational activities– poor access to scientific journals and latest publications (books,

proceedings etc)– limited communication with the outside world

Opportunities for the eGYAfrica Innitiative

i. Improved/high motivation of faculty members for access

ii. Improved commitment from leaders and university authorities in many African countries and universities respectively

iii. Encouraging support from the International Community

Thank You

alemmeb@gmail.com

CONCLUSIONLet us intensify our efforts and work hard to establish national and regional groups for the initiative so that people could act locally by communicating with all of us