The online workshop which followed the European standards and guidelines (ESGs) for institutions in the higher education area, pointing out the responsibility of higher education to harness the promise of digital transformation, was joined by amongst others Justina Mashiba, Chief Executive Director at Universal Communication Service Access Funds and Omo Oaiya, Chief Strategy Officer at the West and Central Research and Education Network (WACREN).
How to empower the society
The internet was rolled out thanks to involvement of universities, leading to the National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) The networks connecting higher education institutions have created the base for connectivity and services, with for instance the network Eduroam, providing access to educational networks in more than 100 countries around the globe.
-The current discussion on infrastructure in “undeserved areas” shows the need for affordable backbones to foster school connectivity and community empowerment, says professor Noll, who is also Secretary General of the Basic Internet Foundation.
The session brought together academic representatives with the aim to "Connect the Future" by ideas and best practice, according to Noll - who`s closest issue to heart is the contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2030) through Free access to Information on the Internet for every single human being on earth.
-My concern is that a purely revenue-driven economy will concentrate on innovation for those who have “everything” already, and leave out the people at the bottom of the pyramid. That is why we created the Basic Internet Foundation, with the vision of "Internet lite» for all".