Glo pledges support for academic research in Africa

Globacom Nigeria, the telecoms provider of choice, has promised to lend its massive telecommunications infrastructure and international partnerships to connect tertiary institutions in Africa in order to facilitate the development of research in Africa.

Globacom’s Enterprise Group Commercial Coordinator, Mr Folu Aderibigbe, made the disclosure at the third Annual Conference and fourth Annual General Meeting of the West and Central African Research and Educational Network (WACREN) held recently in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

Aderibigbe, who was addressing a   gathering of policy and decision makers, scientists, researchers, network managers, identity and access management experts, and connectivity and equipment providers from across globe, said Globacom is at the forefront of delivering connectivity to organisations and higher institutions in Nigeria, Ghana and Benin Republic in  a seamless, cost-efficient style.

“With its Glo 1 international submarine fibre-optic cable originating from Europe and crossing through West African countries, Globacom, would love to support WACREN in ensuring all the universities in the region have seamless connectivity to Europe,” said Aderibigbe.

Themed, “Catalysing Quality Higher Education and Research”, the well-attended conference also had in attendance the head of Glo1 Ghana, Mr. Joseph Odoi, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Côte d’Ivoire, Professor Ramata Bakayoko Ly, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Togo, Professor Broohm,  and the Vice President, Agriculture, Human and Social Development Complex, African Development Bank, Dr Jennifer Blanke, among others.

Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Togo, Professor Octave Nicoué Broohm, mentioned the need for countries in the region to step up to the escalating need for research in tertiary institutions by building robust digital capacities.

According to the minister, the government of Togo is currently building Data Centres in state universities and restoring optic fibre cable connections to all universities across Togo.

He said by the government would have removed taxes on computers this month to support the facilitation of accessibility to ICT as well as boost research.

Cathrin Stover, who represented GÉANT, Europe’s leading collaboration on e-infrastructure and services for research and education, said her remarks underscored the need to drive down the cost of bandwidth in the region. She equally added that Geant has connected 42 universities in 15 years with €100s millions in contributions from the European Union and others.  Geant connects higher institutions in Africa to Europe to ensure students in Africa have access to knowledge bases around the world.

Vice President, Agriculture, Human and Social Development Complex, African Development Bank, Dr. Jennifer Blanke, noted that investment in research will enhance and sustain economic growth and development.