EUMEDplus is an EU co-funded project aimed at advancing digital infrastructure and boosting the research and education (R&E) landscape in North Africa. Building on the successes of earlier EU-funded projects like AfricaConnect and EUMEDCONNECT, EUMEDplus focuses on strengthening the capabilities of National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) in the region, enhancing their digital transformation efforts, and expanding their service offerings.
With a budget of €13,334,000 – including €12,000,000 from the EU – the four-year project is coordinated by GÉANT in partnership with ASREN, the American University of Beirut, the Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique et Technique in Morocco, the Cyprus Research and Academic Network, NORDUnet, and SESAME in Jordan. The partnership will focus on enhancing digital infrastructure, advancing R&E collaboration, and promoting sustainable growth through improved connectivity and capacity-building.
Key Objectives and Activities:
Strengthening Research and Education Networks (NRENs): EUMEDplus aims to enhance the operational efficiency, maturity, and sustainability of ASREN and North African NRENs. This involves supporting digital transformation in the R&E sector, fostering global scientific collaboration and innovation, and promoting gender equality through dedicated conference tracks, mentorship programs, and training courses.
Enhancing Digital Infrastructure: The project focuses on increasing access to modern digital infrastructures and technologies in the region. It will support North African NRENs in developing national readiness strategies to fully leverage the Medusa submarine cable project, a key EU digital global Gateway initiative. This expansion will provide high-speed, secure connectivity between North Africa and Europe and explore further extensions towards the Levant, ensuring ongoing international R&E connectivity for the Eastern Mediterranean countries.
Expanding Data Infrastructure and Services: EUMEDplus will empower NRENs to address the challenge of scalable data infrastructures and enhance the availability of value-added services and tools for end users. Emphasis will be placed on building secure access systems, promoting cross-border cooperation in high-performance computing (HPC) utilization, and fostering open science principles.
Key Objectives and Activities:
Strengthening Research and Education Networks (NRENs): EUMEDplus aims to enhance the operational efficiency, maturity, and sustainability of ASREN and North African NRENs. This involves supporting digital transformation in the R&E sector, fostering global scientific collaboration and innovation, and promoting gender equality through dedicated conference tracks, mentorship programs, and training courses.
Enhancing Digital Infrastructure: The project focuses on increasing access to modern digital infrastructures and technologies in the region. It will support North African NRENs in developing national readiness strategies to fully leverage the Medusa submarine cable project, a key EU digital global Gateway initiative. This expansion will provide high-speed, secure connectivity between North Africa and Europe and explore further extensions towards the Levant, ensuring ongoing international R&E connectivity for the Eastern Mediterranean countries.
Expanding Data Infrastructure and Services: EUMEDplus will empower NRENs to address the challenge of scalable data infrastructures and enhance the availability of value-added services and tools for end users. Emphasis will be placed on building secure access systems, promoting cross-border cooperation in high-performance computing (HPC) utilization, and fostering open science principles.
