The Emerging NREN Programme (ENP) aims to bring professionals from emerging NRENs to TNC and integrate them into the vibrant global R&E community.
Early in 2021 Emerging NRENs from around the world were invited to nominate representatives to take part in the programme and this year the initiative is excited to welcome 19 participants from 17 different countries and territories: Albania, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burundi, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Jordan, *Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco, Palestine, Somalia, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania!
The programme kicked off in the beginning of June with an informal get together with Erik Huizer, GÉANT CEO, where participants had the opportunity to introduce themselves showing photos of their most loved places in their country and take part in a Q&A session. A subsequent meeting was hosted by Jisc where the UK NREN provided a tailored comprehensive overview of its services and activities.
All participants will take part in TNC21, supported by dedicated check-in coffee sessions, and morning sessions scheduled for each day of the conference to introduce the programme for that day. In addition, this year two of the participants have been selected for the Lightning Talks session that will take place on Friday 25 June.
Leila Dekkar, International Relations Project Manager for GÉANT, reminds us of the salient elements of this initiative: “The programme’s objectives are simple and straightforward: to integrate emerging NRENs into the global R&E community by bringing them to TNC, to encourage involvement from field operatives in preference to senior management and, in particular, to stimulate new synergies and stronger connections between individuals across different organisations and organisational levels.”
Leila adds: “We are particularly pleased with the uptake of this initiative, hope that the community will keep reaping the benefits of this collaborative work and are grateful to Jisc for their valuable contribution to this year’s programme of events.”
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.
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