WORKING DRAFT
Last Modified 12/08/2009 14:59:34 Arabian Standard Time
Printed
Co-operating with Europe and the
Mediterranean - a view from the Gulf
Dr. Steven B. Winstanley
Acting COO
Executive Summary
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Today’s students are heavily reliant on electronic resources,
presenting a clear need for a robust infrastructure to support
this trend
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The ANKABUT project is a high-speed dedicated research and
education network connecting academic institutions in the UAE
with the global research and education community
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Currently, there are 25 university campuses connected to
ANKABUT with more campuses currently in the pipeline
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Ankabut is discussing with Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia to
collaborate in the GCC area. Ankabut has an international
connection to the Internet2 and an MOU with Dante. We are in
talks with EUMEDCONNECT.
▪
Ankabut is hosting Video-Conferencing connectivity and
creating a data centre to host a collection of applications
tailored to the education sector.
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Agenda
UAE Education Benchmarking
ANKABUT Network
International Intentions
Conclusions
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Setting the scene
The `Google generation’ is a popular phrase that
refers to a generation of young people, born after
1993, that is growing up in a world dominated by the
internet.
Most students entering our colleges and
universities today are younger than the
microcomputer, are more comfortable working
on a keyboard than writing in a spiral
notebook, and are happier reading from a
computer screen than from paper in hand.
Constant connectivity – being in touch with
friends and family at any time and from any
place – is of utmost
Importance*
* Jason Frand, The information mindset: Changes in students and implications for higher education, EDUCAUSE Review, March / April 2006, p.15
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The situation facing educators today…
“None of the top 10 jobs that will exist in 2010 exist today…”
*
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Prepare students for jobs that haven’t been created…
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Using technologies that haven’t been invented
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In order to solve problems that don’t yet exist.
“…we need to equip students with those concepts that are common to all problems,
all technologies, all skills...”
* former U.S. Education Secretary Richard Riley
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World Economic Forum Findings 2010
ME: Quality of Research Institutions vs. Global Competitiveness
Source: World Economic Forum, 2010, http://gcr.weforum.org/gcr09/
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World Economic Forum Findings 2010
World: Quality of Research Institutions vs. Global Competitiveness
Source: World Economic Forum, 2010, http://gcr.weforum.org/gcr09/
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World Economic Forum Findings 2010
ME: University-Industry Collaboration vs. Global Competitiveness
Source: World Economic Forum, 2010, http://gcr.weforum.org/gcr09/
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World Economic Forum Findings 2010
World: University-Industry Collaboration vs. Global Competitiveness
Source: World Economic Forum, 2010, http://gcr.weforum.org/gcr09/
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UAE Cabinet releases: Vision 2021
3.3 Knowledge-based and highly productive economy
Innovation, research, science and technology will form the pillars of a
knowledge-based, highly productive and competitive economy, driven by
entrepreneurs in a business-friendly environment where public and private
sectors form effective partnerships
Outstanding information and communication infrastructure will network our
businesses together and give them a leading edge as they transact and
interact with the world. Individual citizens will also reap the benefits of
efficient connectedness in their digital lives as they search online for
knowledge and the fulfillment of intellectual curiosity.
4 First-rate education
All Emiratis will have equal opportunity and access to first-rate education
that allows them to develop into well-rounded individuals, enhance their
educational attainment, and achieve their true potential, contributing
positively to society
The UAE will successfully encourage Emiratis to maximize their
potential by remaining in school and reaching higher levels of
education. School drop-outs rates will fall, university enrolment will
rise, and more Emiratis will climb higher up the ladder of learning into
post-graduate education.
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Agenda
UAE Education Benchmarking
Ankabut Network
International Intentions
Conclusions
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Ankabut National Network
5 Universities covering 25 Campuses
INTERNET2
MANLAN
New York
Internet 2 Peering
Router
IAT
IAT
HCT / Women's
HCT / Women's
HCT / Men's
HCT / Men's
Fujairah
Ras Al Khaima
IAT
HCT / Women's
HCT / Men's
ZAYED UNIVERSITY
HCT / Women's
+ NTP
KUSTAR
Sharjah
10 GE
Dubai
IAT
1 GE
VEDEC (Suwaihan
IAT)
IAT Aviation
Academy
HCT / Women's
IAT Institute Of
Nursing
HCT / Men's
UAE University
HCT / Women's
HCT / Men's
HCT CENTRAL
SERVICES
Ankabut NOC
AL Ain
Data Centre
HCT CERT
Proposed
Data Centre
Abu Dhabi
KUSTAR
ZAYED UNIVERSITY
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Ankabut International Network
Single International Peering Point
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Agenda
UAE Education Benchmarking
ANKABUT Network
International Intention
Conclusions
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GEANT: EU International Connectivity
DANTE’s Global Presence.
Main GCC Submarine Landing Points
Alexandria
Fujairah
Jeddah
Mumbai
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Expansion into the Gulf area
• Planned TGN Gulf extension
• Planned Gulf Bridge International
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Where to next?
East Africa…
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Agenda
UAE Education Benchmarking
ANKABUT Network
International Intentions
Conclusions
19
Conclusions
Ankabut has expressed it’s international connectivity intentions
We are very interested in being involved on the regional level
We believe there are enormous challenges in terms of:
• Political convergence
• Challenges from operators
• Regulation and Licencing
Ankabut would like to seek to help others in the region in with
common coordinated connectivity
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