1. Higher Education in the DRC ● Structure: 3 state universities, 18 advanced Technical institutes, 16 advanced pedagogical institutes, a school of agronomy, several private universities, technical schools and colleges scattered around the country. ● Main state institutions: ● University of Lubumbashi ● University of Kinshasa ● University of Kisangani ● ICT infrastructure: ● Unikin : Campus backbone founded by VLIR ● UniLu: Campus backbone founded by CUIF

2. The DRC NREN ● Main focus areas: (1) health (tropical diseases and aids), (2) education (tele-teaching, digital libraries) and (3) research (environmental, agricultural, mineral and renewable energies studies ). ● Initial implementation: a network of four universities (Unikin, Unilu, Unikis, UCB) playing the role of regional hubs. ● Challenges: (1) distances (2) IT infrastructure (3) IT staff number and (3)organization and founding.

3. A Pilot Project ● Local RENs in – Kinshasa: +/- 6 institutions using fiber – Lubumbashi: +/- 5 institutions using fiber ● National backbone connecting Unikin, Unilu, Unikis, UCB using a hybrid fiber+vsat connectivity – Unikin-Unilu: SNEL power line Inga- Shaba – other links: Vsat ● Cross-border connectivity – Unikin-Unilu using the SNEL power line Inga-Kinshasa-Brazza – Unilu-Copperbelt using the power line Lubumbashi-Copperbelt