Session Chair:

Peter Bogatencov (RENAM)

slides (pdf)

Do national governments in the EaP region recognise that their national research and education network (NREN) is an important national asset? In this session the panel will explore the role of NRENs, their importance in supporting national research and educational communities, and how to sustain their activities in the long term. Questions include:

• Do you agree that e-infrastructures are essential for modern science and education and that NRENs and GÉANT are integral to the European R&E e-infrastructure?

• What key factors influence the success and sustainability of national R&E networks?

• What examples are there of sustainable operation and development from the GÉANT NREN community?

• What obstacles do EaP NRENs face and how can they overcome them to become sustainable?

• How do regional initiatives, such as the EaPConnect project, support NRENs in achieving a European-level in developing networking infrastructure and services and promoting regional and international R&E cooperation? Can we identify needs and opportunities for actions by national governments, international funding agencies or donors that can complement or help consolidate the sustainability of national or regional e-infrastructures, including NRENs?