1. 6 – 7 March 2006EC Support to Research and Education Networking in Southern and Eastern Africa Presenting MAREN : the Malawi Research and Education Network Margaret E Ngwira University of Malawi Libraries, Kamuzu College of Nursing Member, MAREN Task Force and Member, UbuntuNet Alliance www.malico.mw/maren

2. 6 – 7 March 2006EC Support to Research and Education Networking in Southern and Eastern Africa Context of MAREN: Agro-based economy: population 13 million, GNI per capita US$170 (2004), Life Expectancy 40 years. Tertiary Education Sector 5000 graduates per year. Connectivity : Building on MALICO VSAT Network from north to south of Malawi Access to 2 fibre strands by ESCOM for academic networking for 3 years Fibre linking already underway in Blantyre under MIMCOM Project Enabling environment and commitment from MACRA

3. 6 – 7 March 2006EC Support to Research and Education Networking in Southern and Eastern Africa University of Malawi Bunda College of Agriculture, Bunda Kamuzu College of Nursing, Blantyre and Lilongwe Chancellor College and University Office, Zomba College of Medicine with Queen Elizabeth Hospital (teaching hospital)Blantyre- Mangochi District Hospital Research CenterMangochi- Wellcome Trust Malaria research center HIV AIDS research TB research Blantyre- Apple Study Project (Wellcome Trust) for Malaria research Blantyre- Malaria Alert Center/Blantyre Malaria Project Blantyre- Johns Hopkins University Malaria Project Blantyre University of North Carolina HIV / AIDs Lilongwe Polytechnic Blantyre Mzuzu University Mzuzu Malawi College of Accountancy Blantyre and Lilongwe Malawi College of Health Sciences Blantyre and Lilongwe National College of Information Technology Blantyre and Lilongwe Livingstonia University Livingstonia Tertiary level education and research institutions in Malawi

4. 6 – 7 March 2006EC Support to Research and Education Networking in Southern and Eastern Africa MAREN founded mid 2005, with Task Force chaired by Pro VC of University of Malawi 3 HE institutions on 9 sites represented Connectivity mainly from MALICO VSATs and Radio links Fibre being connected to a cluster of institutions in Blantyre under MIMCOM 2 Fibre strands available from ESCOM for 3 years for academic connectivity MACRA is committed to providing an enabling environment for Academic Fibre access Support at Director, Principal Secretary and Ministerial level MAREN not yet legally constituted and lacks basic infrastructure Challenge that some of the major institutions are off the fibre route Landlocked location presents challenges

5. 6 – 7 March 2006EC Support to Research and Education Networking in Southern and Eastern Africa In conclusion, MAREN will be delighted to partner with other organisations to revolutionise national tertiary connectivity and to contribute one building block of UbuntuNet Alliance in its quest to connect to EU Géant and thus contribute to reaching our national development goals! Thank you