[liberationtech] Help needed for Internet access in Africa

[Yosem Companys]

From: Anelda van der Walt <ANELDA.VANDERWALT at NWU.AC.ZA>

Dear all,

I realise we have a very diverse group of people subscribed to this list
and really hope someone on the list can help with ideas or can put us in
touch with someone who can help.

In July 2017 colleagues from University of New Orleans will be running a
5-day bioinformatics workshop in Gabon, Central Africa. The workshop will
include some modules from the Carpentry repertoire.  The researchers from
New Orleans have a longstanding relationship with the Gabon university and
have been involved in a number of capacity building initiatives over the
years. Amongst other things, participants will learn this year, to use
cloud computing (thanks Jason!) for genomics data analysis...

The reality is that the university does not have Internet... Although our
colleagues from the US will be buying data bundles and using the local
mobile network to get access to Internet for the duration of the course
(with its limitations and high costs associated), we are trying to help the
university to get access to Internet at a broader level.

We are working with the country's Education and Research Network service
provider, but costs are astronomical and as such the Science Faculty, who
is keen to take a lead on this initiative, will just not be able to cover
installation costs and monthly costs from an already depleted budget.

So, we have a use case (bioinformatics data analysis in the cloud), we have
a champion at the Gabon university (Dean of Science Faculty), we have the
network provider ready with plans to install (GabonREN), we have an
existing relationship between US/Gabon (so not one of those once off
helicopter capacity building initiatives).

What we don't have:

   - Skills in the IT department to install and maintain internet (The
   Science Dean said they will have to contract these skills in)
   - Funding to afford the initial installation
   - Funding to maintain the installation (staff/contractors)
   - Funding for monthly line rental

Does anybody have an idea about someone we could approach for help?

I look forward to seeing how our collective wisdom and networks may be able
to help fellow researchers get access to the Internet.

Kind regards,

Anelda
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