Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91.980916153630.14926G-100000@igc.apc.org> Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 15:38:11 -0700 From: Art McGee <mailto:amcgee@IGC.ORG> Subject: UCC to run Telecoms Programme To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU
---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 16 Sep 1998 10:05:27 +0000 From: Kofi ARTHIABAH <mailto:arthiak@aau.org> Subject: UCC to run Telecoms ProgrammeThe University of Cape Coast (UCC) is to run a Masters' programme in Telecommunications Physics in collaboration with the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) (http://www.ictp.trieste.it), and Ghana Telecom. This was made public at the opening ceremony of a two-week workshop held in the university to train technicians on the "Use of Radio in Computer Networking" held from Aug. 31 to Sep 11 in Cape Coast. The programme which could take off (as early as) next academic session is primarily aimed at addressing the problem of shortage of skilled man-power in the IT industry in Africa, and is to also serve as a regional centre for excellence in telecommunications physics. In preparation for the programme, a Radio Networking Laboratory was outdoored during the workshop. The ICTP which has been assisting many developing countries to train personnel and set up networks, provided the equipment for the new Radio Networking Laboratory.
The workshop was attended by some fifteen participants from various academic and research organisations in Ghana, with an additional four participants from other parts of Africa - Angola, Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria and Tanzania.
Linux Rules again!
During the workshop, participants were introduced to Linux - first, with material from user point of view and then from a sysadmin point of view. While a number of the participants had already had some Unix exposure, some were encountering it for the first time(!) - but by the end of the workshop were adequately comfortable with it - I call it zero to sixty in 10 seconds! Next they were taken through basics of networking and all the good stuff about TCP/IP with enough background to absorb the material that followed - setting up radio networks.
The participants were introduced to Spread spectrum technology and how it could be used to link up a campus of LANs. For this, hands-on exercises requiring participants to slowly replace their wired network links with wireless components. By the end of the first week, the laboratory which had till then been completely wire-based, had been segmented into four independent LANs linked by spread spectrum radio. To make it even more interesting and to demonstrate some applications, a network was set up between the old site and the new site of the university and a video conference held among the participants.
Subsequently, other interesting wireless technologies were explored, including packet radio. A really neat exercise involved interfacing a hand-held GPS unit to a computer and packet radio in a van, and in the lab, a packet radio and a PC running WinGPS to track the movement of the van around the campus. The participants were truly thrilled!
Telecoms in Africa in the year 2000.
A one-day seminar on the Role of Telecoms in Africa in the year 2000 was also held to close the workshop. The seminar brought together all the key players in the Telecoms field in Ghana as well as international experts to rub minds on the topic.
Among the pressing issues discussed were:
1. The effects of deregulation on telecoms operators. In particular, that it appears the "Internet model" (where capacity providers are distinct from service providers) would eventually be the order of the day for telecoms operators according to Prof. Repici of Telecom Italia.
2. "Don't Go it Alone!" This was the core message in Prof. Zongo's presentation - emphasising the need for cooperation between telecom players, nationally, regionally and continent-wide including the need for cooperation in manpower development, by strengthening regional centres for excellence and the universities.
3. The need for development of human resources. A long debate ensued between the academia and industry participants as to their respective roles in producing competent IT specialists. The Deputy Minister of Communications (Commander Griffith) identified the need for human resource development and said that the new Communications policy (which will come out of the October communications policy conference) would place a strong emphasis on it.
4. Universities should make their needs known to Industry and Industry should take their research problems to universities...
The chairman of the occasion, Dr. Nii Quaynor, concluded the discussion by urging participants (academia and industry) to continue "talking" about the needs, challenges, and opportunities.
For more information on contact: Daniel Obuobi, Coordinator of the Computer Centre, University of Cape Coast, at mailto:csucc@ghana.com
---------------------------------------------------------- Kofi ARTHIABAH Tel:+233-21-774495 Technical Assistant Mobile:+233-24-310256 Association of African Universities Fax:+233-21-774821 P. O. Box 5744 e-mail:mailto:arthiak@aau.org Accra North, Ghana mailto:arthiak@ieee.org