Caribbean SIG at the Internet2 Spring Member Meeting
21 April 2008
Arlington, VA
Heidi Alvarez opened the meeting by providing an overview of the Caribbean interest group as well as noting some challenges and opportunities related to connecting institutions in the region.
1. Introductions of those present
Shiraz Mohammed- University of West Indies
Greg Palmer - MAGPI/University of Pennsylvania
Fernando Muro - CUDI Mexico
David Gray - World Bank
Mike McGill - Internet2
Glen Johnson - State Department
Peter O'Neill - MidAtlantic Crossroads
Matt Siniscal - MidAtlantic Crossroads
Cathrin Stöver - DANTE/GEANT
Johnathan Chapman - Georgetown University Qatar Campus
Don Riley - University of Maryland
Yasuichi Kitamura - APAN
Florencio - CLARA (via video)
Ali Salman - Brac University, Bangladesh
Luiz Ary Messina - RNP
Carlos Perez - University of Maryland
Cheta Azubuike - University of Maryland
Tripti Sinha - University of Maryland
Tania Quiel - Smithsonian TRI
Chet Ruszczyk - MIT
Heidi Alvarez - Florida International University
Heather Boyles - Internet2
Jocelyn Gerich - Internet2
2. Updates from participants
Heidi invited David Gray of the World Bank to provide an update on the initiative that will provide funding to CKLN to proceed with the CaribNet (name of the NREN forming in the Caribbean) initiative.
Comments from David Gray -
CKLN is in support of improved education. Employers in the Caribbean typically have to spend 2 years training locally hired staff. The planned 'Centers of excellence' will begin by focusing on what people are best at rather than a wider/full curriculum; hopefully expanding later.
One telecom company has historically held a monopoly, which has held back region in internet, etc
The monopoly is breaking up, so this is changing now.
Money is available for CaribNet (CKLN, Canadian CDB, WB, OAS, etc - 6 sources total)
-Need more help!
-Is about to become a Caricom community
We're really working to get this right!
We hope to define connectivity as social bandwidth - incorporating not just education but health, government, etc
The money will be managed by the World Bank.
Comments from Florencio Uteras -
CLARA has been in contact with CKLN (particularly Ken Sylvester); they are working on an agreement right now
Question asked of Florencio: Is there a timeline in place?
Answer: No not yet
IADB has done a feasibility study
There is huge interest in working collaboratively in this area (due to physical difficulties, government difficulty, etc)
Florencio feels there will probably not be connectivity for the next year
Shiraz Mohammed presented slides about the University of the West Indies. They can be seen here: http://events.internet2.edu/2008/spring-mm/sessionDetails.cfm?session=3713&event=280
The Univ. of the West Indies has 40,000 students enrolled at 3 physical campuses and 1 virtual.
Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica & Barbados are physical campuses
1 open virtual campus providing access to 16 Caricom countries
3. Benefits, dates, locations of an I2 meeting in the region
The group discussed the idea of an "Internet2 Day" or "Research and Education Networking" day that might be held in the Caribbean to encourage further development of R&E networks and interconnectivity. Heather Boyles suggested that perhaps the way to proceed would be to get in touch with Ken Sylvester of CKLN to discuss working with the CaribNet effort to do such a workshop (IADB money may be available). Heather will follow-up with Heidi to begin this action.
We would like to have a meeting in the region
When would be best? Where?
4. Applications to present at a regional meeting
What kind of applications would we like to see presented?
Greg Palmer talked about MAGPI applications; currently they have 102 event-based programs (all on education) this year!
Suggests we look at their website to see what's going on - http://www.magpi.net/
Preliminary thoughts from Heidi are to focus on:
A. Education
B. Hurricane research/observation
C. Oceanography
D. Health care
UNESCO is very interested in helping this effort, too