Connectivity Providers Database

From: john abdul kargbo <johnabdulkargbo@yahoo.com> To: mlizarza@darkwing.uoregon.edu Time: Sat, 13 Nov 2004 03:45:09 -0800 (PST) Subject: RE: Academic Network in Sierra Leone >1)What has happened since 2002 with the introduction of the Internet >in educational institutions? A series of stake holders meetings i.e. from the UK, the University of Sierra Leone and the principals of selected sec schs for the introduction of Internet in educational institutions have been held and some ICT equipment supplied to kick start the project. It is in its preliminary stage. >2)Could you please provide a technical description of the academic >connectivity and network topology in Sierra Leone? Each of the constituent units of the University of Sierra Leone ie FBC,NUC, IPAM and COMAHS,has stand alone node locations. Between 1994 and 2001 SALSTINET INITIATIVE was launched which aimed to foster collaboration between information providers, researchers,'informatics' and end users of science and technological info(sti) in the country. The objective was to establish a national capacity for the generation, collection,provision and dissemination of local and international science and technical research results for policy makers, Govt. Officials, Scientists and Technologists and private concerns. This was located at FBC in the care of the URDS but have long since ceased to function. Similarly there is a node at COMAHS of SierraNet Initiative which amongst other things aims to provide a forum where interested uni students can develop computing skills through voluntary work. >3) Please describe the technical setup of the academic/research network and >the underlying technology. Sadly the academic /research network is supposed to be the care of URDS but no one seems to know what is happening as nothing is done. >4) How many institutions are currently connected to your research network? How >many users are connected approximately? Nothing practically exists. >5)What do you see as the prospects for development of the academic/research >network in Sierra Leone; what would help it, and what are currently the major >obstacles? Prospects are bleak as the URDS lacks capacity building, equipment and funds to be involved in effective networking activites. To kick start the programme there should be adequate funding,scientific and technically minded staff, computer equipment effective power supply and the will on the side of management to effectuate any networking programme. I only hope that some one out there could help salvage the situation in which I will be more than willing to coordinate. John Abdul Kargbo <johnabdulkargbo@yahoo.com>