the Abdus Salam ICTP experiencesin ICT development to support science
in developing countries
CERN - September 2005
Marco Zennarothe Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical PhysicsTrieste - [email protected]
The abdus salam international centre for theoretical physics
The Centre’s mandate
To foster the growth of advanced research in physics and mathematics, especially among researchers from developing countries.
To create an international forum for the exchange of scientific information through courses, workshops and seminars.
To maintain excellent research facilities for visitors, associates and fellows who participate in the Centre’s research and training activities
the ICTP mandateThe ICTP has the mandate
to foster the growth of advanced research in physics and mathematics, especially among researchers from developing countries to create an international forum for the exchange of scientific information through courses, workshops and seminars
“Scientific Thought is the common heritage of mankind”
The abdus salam international centre for theoretical physics
Why radio technology?
• Radio represents a powerful tool to leap-frog the communication technology gap between developed and developing world.
why ICT at ICTPICT is a basic infrastructure necessary for the economic and social development of a country but also for its scientific and technological progressThe academic community is a fundamental starting point for these efforts to permeate to the rest of society The underlying problem is the lack of sufficient well qualified human resources able to handle the new systems and technologies
the ICT activities
the ICT activities carried out by ICTP
the “C”, communications, is covered by the Aeronomy and Radiopropagation Laboratory (ARPL) which works on wireless networking
the “I”, information, is covered by the the Science Dissemination Unit (SDU) which works on electronic scientific contents
why wireless?
Wireless links in campus networksinexpensiveeasy to setupeasy to upgradeeasy to add connectionsdon’t loose the investmentuser experiences no difference
need for training
to plan, design and install a wireless network is quite different from designing a wired one
RF propagationnetworks co-location, interferences
Training is needed
last ten years
1993 to 1996 - Activities cosponsored with ITU/BDT 1997 - ICTP-URSI-ITU/BDT Workshop on the use of Radio for digital communications in developing countries1998 - 1st School on the use of Radio for digital communications in developing countries (its 8th yearly edition in 2005 with financial support of ITU-BDT)
2005 School“School on Radio Based Computer Networking for Research and Training in Developing Countries”
7 February - 4 March 2005
more than 300 applications for 40 participants
162 applications from Africalast three days for a Round Table on ICT for Development
three weeks training on Networking, Wireless Technologies, Antenna Theory, Antenna Building, Wireless Security, etc
lecturers and experts from Europe and USA
all the lectures are available on our website
http://wireless.ictp.trieste.it
antenna building
handbook
“Radio Laboratory Handbook” on Antenna buildingAntenna measurementsCable characterization
Used in trainings in South Africa, Tanzania and MaliSoon available in French and Spanishhttp://wireless.ictp.it
advanced wireless
“ICTP - ITU/BDT Project-Based Advanced Training on the Use of Wireless for Campus Networking."13 June - 1 July 200520 participants, all from AfricaProject-Based
training in Africa
Training has also been carried out in:
NigeriaBeninGhanaSudanKenyaCameroon
project in Malawi
Chomora Mikeka, from Department of PHYSICS, Chancellor College, University of Malawiparticipated to the 2004 School and to the 2005 Advanced Schoolstarted a Research Group on WirelessWireless Network with cantenna and ICTP equipment
MoU with ITU
ITU BDT: Telecommunications Development BureauMoU with ITU on training on ICTICTP School 2004, 2005, 2006Advanced Training 2005Workshop on New Radiocommunication Technologies in 2004Project on WiMAX in Africa 2006
ITU/ICTP training
“ITU/ICTP Workshop on New Radiocommunication Technologies for ICT in Developing Countries-Africa Region"17-21 May 200410 participants from AfricaRegulatory issues, Spectrum Management, New Radio Technologies
MoU with Douala
The University of Douala, Cameroon, has an ICT development projectICTP will provide training on
wireless technologyOpen Source Software
Training started in February 2004 in TriesteWorkshop held in Douala in 2005
SDU
Science Dissemination Unitstarted in 2005mission is to disseminate ICTP lectures and programs to more people than are able to visit the Centre, throughout the world, via electronic, digital, satellite and other information and communication toolshttp://sdu.ictp.it
eJDS
electronic Journals Delivery Service (eJDS)
to facilitate the access to current scientific literature free of costto distribute individual scientific articles via e-mail to scientists in Developing Countries with low bandwidth thanks to agreements with the Publishershttp://www.ejds.org
digital lectures
Audio/Video streaming and archive of Scientific Lectures at ICTP
synchronized video and slidesmade using open source format (SMIL)
iRooms
dedicated links via Internet between ICTP and some of its Federated Institutions
audio and video broadcasting of ICTP scientific activities, delivery of invited talksreal-time interaction between scientists via audio/video chat, easy document exchanges and collaborative editingstarted with Benin in 2005
e-Learning
“Workshop on Web Enabling Technologies & Strategies for Scientific e-Learning”
7-12 November 2005ICTP, Trieste-ItalyHeld in 1999, 2002 and 2004
callICTP
Call the ICTP phones during office hours via free Internet telephony (VoIP) from any computer connected to the net using Skype
to get in touch with ICTP scientists and to contact administrative staffused for the project in Malawi (1.20$ per minute vs free)http://sdu.ictp.it/callictp.html
pingER Africa
PingER project, carried out by SLAC in StanfordSDU analyzes the data for Africagraphs for Africa in general, regions of Africa, and for single Universities
http://sdu.ictp.it/pinger/
Open Source
Open: collaboration is open to all
Source: source code is freely shared
the Open Source movement is an extension of the scientific method
The scientific method rests on a process of discovery and a process of justification
For scientific results to be justified, they must be replicable
Replication is not possible unless the source is shared
capacity building is enhanced
Ubuntu Linux
A Linux distribution which comes from South AfricaDonation of 600 CDs from UbuntuDistributions to ICTP scientists and during ICT training activites
FOSSFA
Free Open Source Software for AfricaFour weeks training in Linux in march 2004 in Accra, Ghana20 people from school, universities and governmentlectures on Wireless with Linux and web design with standards
bandwidth optimisation
“Workshop on Optimisation Technologies for Low-Bandwidth Networks”9-20 October 2006ICTP, Trieste-ItalyInfo on http://sdu.ictp.it
Thank you for your attention!
