Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine,
Syria and Tunisia as a group are part of what is known as the European Union’s
Southern Neighbourhood countries. With their predominantly young population
experiencing significant unemployment rates, there is an urgent need for
investment in human capital to foster economic growth, create societal
opportunities, and mitigate brain drain.
Enter: the research and education (R&E) sector. R&E
networks are crucial in this effort, particularly through digital
transformation, which enables access to high-speed internet, data
infrastructures, and e-services that are essential for collaboration,
innovation, and evidence-based decision-making
For this reason and building on the successes of previous
EU-funded projects – such as AfricaConnect and EUMEDCONNECT, the EU co-funded
EUMEDplus project was launched on 1 September 2024. Aligned with the Agenda for
the EU’s partnership for the Southern Neighbourhood, EUMEDplus aims at
enhancing the capabilities of NRENs in North Africa and their Regional Network,
the Arab States Research and Education Network (ASREN), and increasing access
to modern digital infrastructure and technologies.
The project is designed to address key challenges in digital
connectivity in the EU’s Southern Neighbourhood as a catalyst for human
capacity development. EUMEDplus aims to achieve this ambition by:
Supporting Research and Education: in particular, by
strengthening the role of ASREN and North African NRENs in driving digital
transformation within the R&E sector. The project aims to enable them to
participate more fully in global scientific collaboration and innovation by
enhancing their maturity and sustainability development as well as operational
efficiency, both at regional and national level. It will also prioritise gender
equality-oriented initiatives through dedicated conference tracks, mentorship
programmes and training courses.
Elevating Digital Infrastructure: in order to significantly
improve access to modern digital infrastructures and technologies, the project
will aid North African NRENs in developing and implementing national strategies
to fully utilise the pan-Mediterranean Medusa submarine-cable project, EU’s
first digital global Gateway undertaking, and also investigate the feasibility
of expanding the Medusa system, now between North Africa and Europe, towards
the Levant, whist ensuring ongoing international R&E connectivity for the
Levant.
Expanding the service offering: the project will empower
NREN to tackle the challenge of making data infrastructure scalable and value-added services and tools that are accessible to end users.
The focus will be on establishing the underlying federation systems for secure
service access, fostering cross-border cooperation in HPC utilisation and
promoting the adoption of open science principles
EUMEDplus is set to play a transformative role in the
Southern Neighbourhood by enhancing digital infrastructure, supporting
educational and research institutions, and fostering sustainable, inclusive
growth. Through its focus on long-term sustainability, gender equality and
high-speed connectivity, the project promises to bridge the digital divide and
stimulate innovation, ensuring that the Southern Neighbourhood is
well-positioned to thrive in the digital age.
"GÉANT is delighted to continue its longstanding
collaboration with ASREN and NRENs in North Africa and the Eastern
Mediterranean through the implementation of the EUMEDplus project. This project
together with Medusa, the EU digital global gateway project to implement a
submarine cable in the Mediterranean, strengthens GEANT ambition to work with
ASREN in order o support global R&E cooperation" –
Erik Huizer, GÉANT CEO
"At ASREN, our mission is deeply rooted in the belief that
education and collaboration are the keys to a brighter future for the Arab
region. ‘Uniting Minds, Shaping Future’ is not just a slogan—it is our promise
to every researcher, educator, and student. EUMEDplus project comes exactly on
time to support us to achieve this. Together with GÉANT and partners, we are
committed to breaking barriers and creating a connected and empowered community
across the Arab world" –
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