Co-operating with Europe and the Mediterranean - a view from the Gulf

1. Co-operating with Europe and the Mediterranean - a view from the Gulf • Dr. Steven B. Winstanley • Acting COO

2. Executive Summary • Today’s students are heavily reliant on electronic resources, presenting a clear need for a robust infrastructure to support this trend • 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 • Currently, there are 25 university campuses connected to ANKABUT with more campuses currently in the pipeline • 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.

3. Agenda UAE Education Benchmarking ANKABUT Network International Intentions Conclusions

4. 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

5. “…we need to equip students with those concepts that are common to all problems, all technologies, all skills...” The situation facing educators today… “None of the top 10 jobs that will exist in 2010 exist today…” * • Prepare students for jobs that haven’t been created… • Using technologies that haven’t been invented • In order to solve problems that don’t yet exist. * former U.S. Education Secretary Richard Riley

6. World Economic Forum Findings 2010 ME: Quality of Research Institutions vs. Global Competitiveness Source: World Economic Forum, 2010, http://gcr.weforum.org/gcr09/

7. World Economic Forum Findings 2010 World: Quality of Research Institutions vs. Global Competitiveness Source: World Economic Forum, 2010, http://gcr.weforum.org/gcr09/

8. World Economic Forum Findings 2010 ME: University-Industry Collaboration vs. Global Competitiveness Source: World Economic Forum, 2010, http://gcr.weforum.org/gcr09/

9. World Economic Forum Findings 2010 World: University-Industry Collaboration vs. Global Competitiveness Source: World Economic Forum, 2010, http://gcr.weforum.org/gcr09/

10. 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.

11. Agenda UAE Education Benchmarking Ankabut Network International Intentions Conclusions

12. 5 Universities covering 25 Campuses Ankabut National Network Internet 2 Peering Router INTERNET2 MANLAN New York IAT IAT HCT / Women's HCT / Women's HCT / Men's Fujairah HCT / Men's Ras Al Khaima IAT HCT / Women's HCT / Men's ZAYED UNIVERSITY HCT / Women's + NTP Dubai KUSTAR 10 GE Sharjah IAT 1 GE VEDEC (Suwaihan IAT) IAT Aviation Academy HCT / Women's IAT Institute Of Nursing HCT / Men's UAE University HCT CENTRAL SERVICES Ankabut NOC HCT / Women's HCT CERT Abu Dhabi AL Ain HCT / Men's KUSTAR Data Centre Proposed Data Centre ZAYED UNIVERSITY

13. Single International Peering Point Ankabut International Network

14. Agenda UAE Education Benchmarking ANKABUT Network International Intention Conclusions

15. GEANT: EU International Connectivity DANTE’s Global Presence.

16. Main GCC Submarine Landing Points Alexandria Fujairah Mumbai Jeddah

17. Expansion into the Gulf area • Planned TGN Gulf extension • Planned Gulf Bridge International

18. Where to next? East Africa…

19. Agenda UAE Education Benchmarking ANKABUT Network International Intentions Conclusions

20. 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