Under the Patronage of
H.E. Dr. Ali Al Shidhani
Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology
Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology
Enabling collaborations for the Research & Education Community
The Summit is an annual gathering of OMREN and Global Research & Education community to share their knowledge, success stories, identify solutions, explore business opportunities, discuss current challenges and needs to improve services and achieve objectives of Connect, Collaborate and Innovate.
The Event is an ideal meeting place with power packed networking opportunities with diverse global and regional Stakeholders, NRENs, Researchers, solution providers, leading Industry Experts, Decision Makers, Policy Makers and Government Officials from across the value chain.
The Summit will feature 1 day of expansive line-up of stellar speakers, case studies, panel discussions, engaging discussions, unique presentations providing access to a wealth of industry-leading knowledge, sharing best practices & experiences, spotlighting trends, information exchange, cutting-edge insights and outlooks with actionable takeaways.
The comprehensive expo will showcase avant-garde solutions, specific transverse and latest technologies, cutting edge innovations, cost-effective products and services to meet the requirements.
EXPOrience
the Future
A virtual event works very much the same as our in-person events, with many of the physical features transferring across to the digital experience. The event will enable you to view the presenters live or catchup through recordings and visit vendors booths and network with anyone on the platform. All you need is a desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone, and you can digitally attend from the safety and comfort of your office or home. The Event will start on 31 May 2021, 10:00hrs Gulf Standard Time or GMT +4, to ensure global attendance from all time zones.
Unique Offerings
Product Showcase
Exhibitor Virtual Booth
Generate New Leads
Watch Live
1-2-1 Meetings
Discuss
Webinars & Round Tables
On-Demand
Welcome Note
H.E. Dr. Saif Al-Haddabi
Undersecretary of Scientific Research and Innovation
Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation
H.E. Dr. Saif Al-Haddabi
Undersecretary of Scientific Research and Innovation
Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation
Dr. Al-Haddabi started his career in 1992 as an academic staff at the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department of Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) and reached the level of Associate Professor in 2007. In addition to teaching & research at SQU, Dr. Al-Haddabi served in the position of Assistant Dean for Postgraduate Studies and Research at the College of Engineering from 2002 to 2006. Since 2008 he was called to serve in the Research Council (TRC) of Oman where he held the position of the Assistant Secretary General for Research & Scientific Programs from 2008-2020. He also served in the position of the Assistant Secretary General for Strategic Planning and Business Development at TRC for 8 months before his appointment in August 2020 by a royal decree as the Undersecretary of Higher Education, Research and Innovation for Research and Innovation. Dr. Al-Haddabi research interest is in the area of nonlinear systems analysis and control with focus on design and implementation of advance nonlinear control for complex systems. He received several invitations from reputed academic and research institutions from around the world to collaborate in research areas related to his field. For example, he served as a Visiting Researcher in RWTH Flight Dynamics Institute, Aachen University of Germany in 2003 and a Visiting scholar in the Aeronautics & Astronautics Department of Stanford University, California, USA in 2005 and as a Visiting Professor in the Aero-Astro Department of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston, USA in 2007-2008. Dr. Al-Haddabi published more than 40 research papers in well reputed scientific journals and conferences (search for hiddabi in Google Scholar) as well as many technical reports and continuously contributing to the advancement of Science and Technology. Dr. Al-Haddabi holds a BSc. degree in Mechanical Engineering from SQU since 1992, MSc. degree in Aerospace Engineering since 1995, MSc. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a PhD degree in Aerospace Engineering since 2000 all obtained from The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA. He is also a graduate of the National Defense College of Oman and holds a Master degree of Arts in Strategic Studies for National Security and Defense from SQU since 2019.
Guest of Honor
H.E. Dr. Ali Al Shidhani
Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology
Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology
H.E. Dr. Ali Al Shidhani
Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology
Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology
Over 20 years’ of experience in academia, in government, and the private sector. contributed to prosper Oman's knowledge-based economy through several initiatives that I spearheaded throughout my career. My projects and engagements yielded a solid understanding of Oman's innovation ecosystem.
I cherish a positive attitude, and a firm believer that there are opportunities in every new challenge. I believe in the role that technology and innovation can play to advance the economy. I aspire for a better future for Oman in specific and the world, and that won't materialize without hard work and dedication.
Speakers
Salim Bin Saif Alamri
Representative
OMREN - Oman Research and Education Network
Salim Bin Saif Alamri
Representative
OMREN - Oman Research and Education Network
TOPIC : Shaping the Future of OMREN Together
With over 10 years of experience in both private and public sectors.
Salim has a wide exposure and insight in sales and marketing communication, steering and promoting products and solutions with different industries both global and local.
Salim has recently joined Oman Research and Education Network to support spreading awareness about NRENs and the services provided by OMREN to the research and education community in Oman and to strategically facilitate achieving the connectivity targets.
A dedicated team player, with the ambition to empower and enhance the Research and Education experience for OMREN community.
Highly motivated, task oriented and a natural influencer with critical approach, always targeting a win-win outcome for the business and clients.
A firm believer that, with collaborations; more can be achieved.
Helga Spitaler
Sr. International Relations Project Manager
GÉANT
Helga Spitaler
Sr. International Relations Project Manager
GÉANT
TOPIC : NREN sustainability: a journey, not a destination
As part of the International Relations team at the pan-European networking organisation GÉANT, for over 15 years Helga has been involved in network development across the globe, primarily in the context of EU-funded research and education networking projects. She currently manages the EUMEDCONNECT3 project in the Eastern Mediterranean and supports the Arab States Research and Education Network (ASREN) in the implementation of AfricaConnect3 in north Africa, overseeing procurement activities and connectivity deployments. Helga also contributes to GÉANT’s global partnership engagement in the GCC region and Asia-Pacific.
Helga joined GÉANT in 2004, holding various positions as the organisation has evolved, but always driven by arguing the case for NRENs and R&E networking and compellingly showcasing the impact.
Prior to joining the NREN world, Helga was an Executive Education Programme Manager at the Judge Business School in Cambridge, UK, following a stint in event management in the US and after ‘escaping’ the isolation of soundproof simultaneous interpreting booths.
Yousef Torman
Managing Director
Arab States Research and Education Network - ASREN
Yousef Torman
Managing Director
Arab States Research and Education Network - ASREN
TOPIC : The new role of NRENs
For the last thirty years, Yousef Torman has been working in ICT at highly reputable institutions in the higher education and scientific research sector. During his work, his main focus was to make use of technology, mainly ICT, for the developments and enhancing the life of people in his community and beyond.
In 1989, he started his work as Engineer at the Computer Center of Jordan University for Science and Technology, and then he had successfully established and managed the New Computer and Information Center at Jordan University of Science and Technology in 1999 (serving around 16000 students, 3500 faculty and staff members), then, in 2005, and at the national level, he established and managed the Jordanian National Research and Education Network (serving 11 Universities with more than 250000 students and 25000 faculty and staff members). After that, in 2012, and at the regional, he played a prominent and key role in the efforts and initiatives that aim to establish a Pan Arab regional e-Infrastructure for education scientific research for more than 5 years. These efforts were concluded by the establishment of the Arab States Research and Education Network – ASREN – for which he’s currently the Managing Director (hoping to serve hundreds of Universities in the Arab Region).
Fahem Al Nuaimi
CEO, Information Technology Department
Ankabut - Khalifa University
Fahem Al Nuaimi
CEO, Information Technology Department
Ankabut - Khalifa University
TOPIC : The Role of NREN in Enabling collaborations for the Research & Education in Arab World (opportunities and challenges)
Fahem Al Nuaimi began his ownership as Ankabut CEO on Nov 2011.Fahem is a Technology Executive with over 30 years of experience in networking, systems and software engineering and is known for helping to pioneer the development of Broadband Internet, Voice over IP, Community Wi-Fi, and Business Services in the telecommunication industry in UAE.
He was most recently the Vice President of the Technology Strategy and project management at Etisalat. In that role, he led the architecture, engineering, and development of the telecommunications infrastructure for Residential and Business broad band Services (GPON & IPTV). Fahem is a weathered leader in the broadband industry and he possesses deep technical knowledge and an excellent track record of partnering and collaboration to convert technical capabilities into successful business outcomes.
Goal oriented, organized, highly motivated and a perfectionist with openness to learning with Strong analytical skills with problem-solving abilities, Product knowledge spans telecommunication and hi-tech integrated systems. Extensive experience in handling projects, system engineering marketing strategy, planning and execution, and customer relationship management. Strong international exposure having traveled and provide a presentation to most events around the world.
Fahem Holding BSc in engineering, Master Business Administration, and Master Service Leadership Innovation.
Dr. Esther Wilkinson
Head of International
Jisc
Dr. Esther Wilkinson
Head of International
Jisc
TOPIC : Elevating NRENs, our refreshed role in teaching, learning and research
Dr. Esther Wilkinson is a specialist in international education in the UK, and the Head of International at Jisc. Esther leads Jisc’s international strategy and strategic development of Jisc’s transnational education support programme. Esther has worked in various roles in higher education, previously as Assistant Director in the Universities UK International Unit delivering UK Government and overseas programmes, in addition to managing operations for the Unit. Prior to this, Esther delivered a number of projects in the UK Research Councils for over 13 years; these included £multi-million Government longitudinal studies in the medical and social sciences, and establishing the RCUK Strategy Unit. Other roles included a brief spell as a police officer in London, and as ‘Planetary Protection Officer’ on the Beagle2 Mission to Mars at the Open University. Esther has a First-Class BSc Hons, DIC and PhD in Chemistry from Imperial College.
Jim Ghadbane
President and CEO
CANARIE (Federal Partner in Canada’s NREN)
Jim Ghadbane
President and CEO
CANARIE (Federal Partner in Canada’s NREN)
TOPIC : Collaboration to Secure the Research & Education Sector
Jim Ghadbane was appointed President and CEO of CANARIE in 2013, after joining the organization as Chief Technology Officer in 2010. Jim’s leadership, technical expertise, and focus on stakeholder needs support an increased impact and relevance of CANARIE programs and services in Canada’s public and private sectors.
Nationally, Jim works to strengthen the governance, collaborative operation, and evolution of Canada’s National Research and Education Network (NREN). Internationally, Jim works with global colleagues on the NREN CEO Forum to guide the evolution of the global research and education network.
Prior to joining CANARIE, Jim held a variety of executive positions at leading ICT companies, including Bridgewater Systems (now part of Amdocs), Ceyba Corporation, Alcatel Corporation, and Newbridge Networks. Jim is a devoted mentor to many colleagues and an avid golfer.
Yves Poppe
Programme Director-Advanced Intercontinental Supercomputing Networking
National Supercomputing Centre Singapore (NSCC)
Yves Poppe
Programme Director-Advanced Intercontinental Supercomputing Networking
National Supercomputing Centre Singapore (NSCC)
TOPIC : Oman's great potential as global R&E Networking hub
Yves Poppe currently advises NSCC Singapore on transcontinental supercomputing connectivity. Previously with A*STAR CRC, he contributed to the infiniCortex project, an approach for concurrent computing between geographically distributed surpercomputers culminating in multicontinent configurations demonstrated at the recent annual US SuperComputing conferences. His current concentration is to help facilitate the introduction of the Asia Pacific Research Platform (APRP) modelled on the ScienceDMZ and DTN concept initially developed by Esnet and to extend this to a Global Research Platform (GRP) for Research Collaboration. The embryo of APRP involving Australia, Japan, South Korea and Singapore was successfully demonstrated at SC18 and SC19. Yves retired from Tata Communications where he pioneered high speed international Research & Education network connectivity since the early 1990’s starting with the first transoceanic R&E 34mbps and STM-1 connections and progressing to the first gigabit level transoceanic connections at 2.5 Gbps in 2001. Twelve years later, in 2013, he contributed to the first transatlantic 100Gbps connectivity with ANA-100 and in 2014 at A*STAR facilitated the first transpacific 100Gbps R&E connection between SingAREN and internet2. Yves represents NSCC at Geant, Internet2, Canarie, GRP, ASREN and APAN where he is Chair of the BackBone Committee. Yves Poppe has also been an ardent promoter of IPv6 since its inception and is co-founder of the International IPv6 Forum and has been inducted to the IPv6 Internet Hall of Fame.
David Wilde
Chief Technology Officer
AARNet (Australia’s Academic and Research Network)
David Wilde
Chief Technology Officer
AARNet (Australia’s Academic and Research Network)
TOPIC : Research and Education Networks: Looking to the Future
David Wilde is the Chief Technology Officer of AARNet, Australia’s Academic and Research Network. AARNet connects more than two million end users, interconnecting Australian universities, the CSIRO, research institutes, scientific instruments, schools, colleges, libraries, archives and museums.
For the past 10 years David has driven future technology direction and the development of leading edge applications while building and growing the AARNet network. David has developed extensive collaborations with AARNet’s international peers supporting Australian researchers and educators in achieving world-class technology outcomes in order to overcome the tyranny of distance.
David has spent over 20 years in computer networking in both Australia and Europe. Before returning to Australia from France to join AARNet, he was co-founder and CTO of Aciernet, a boutique network integrator located in Paris. Prior to that David held technical leadership roles at telecommunications operators and internet service providers in Europe and Australia.
Nuzha Almuharbi
Oman Government Network Team Leader
Ministry Of Transport, Communications and Information Technology
Nuzha Almuharbi
Oman Government Network Team Leader
Ministry Of Transport, Communications and Information Technology
TOPIC : Oman Government Network
I have Bachelor degree in Computer Engineering from SQU. I Have more than 15 years of experience in network monitoring and management. I worked in NCR (National Cash Register) as remote monitoring agent for MPLS network in Omantel for 4 years. Then joined Oman Government Network (OGN)Team in Information Technology Authority. I was leading the implementation of High Speed OGN from 2016 to 2019. I also was part of work force team for IPv6 committee initiated by TRA.
Khalid Al-Fajrani
HoD Field Training
Ministry of Higher Education, Vocational Training Directorate
Khalid Al-Fajrani
HoD Field Training
Ministry of Higher Education, Vocational Training Directorate
TOPIC : Vocational Training Colleges, Challenges and Solution
IT Lecturer in Seeb Vocational College (2012 -2018),
Master Degree in Project management in IT (2018),
HOD Field Training (2019 -2021),
IT Curriculum Development Supervisor (2018 – 2021)
Dr. Sausan Al-Riyami
EJAAD Director
EJAAD, Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation
Dr. Sausan Al-Riyami
EJAAD Director
EJAAD, Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation
TOPIC : EJAAD - Contributing to Knowledge Based Economy
Sausan Al-Riyami completed her degree in Physics with a minor in Geology at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), Oman. She has a master’s degree in Science and Engineering with honors (IGSES Awards) and, in 2013, completed her Doctorate of Science in Applied Science for Electronics and Materials at Kyushu University, Japan. She served as a guest researcher at the Institute for Materials Research, Belgium, during which time she expanded her knowledge of CVD applications. Sausan worked at GUTech as an assistant professor before joining The Research Council in Oman as a Renewable Energy Researcher in 2015. From 2016-2018, she was a guest researcher as a project manager at both HZB and GFZ. She has occupied a Senior Expert position since 2019 and was assigned to be the EJAAD Director at the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation in March 2021. Sausan has received several outstanding awards and a number of outstanding research fund grants from Japan, and has published more than 25 scientific papers and articles in scientific journals, energy magazines, and newspapers. She also serves as a scientific reviewer and was invited as an expert representing the sultanate to several scientific events. Her recent focus includes Scientific Management, Material Science, Applied Nanotechnology for PV, Renewable Energy, Solar Thermal Technologies, Hydrogen, and topics related to Energy Transition. Sausan also supervises students’ theses with cooperation from local and international universities.
Muataz Al Barwani
Senior Director, Center for Research Computing
New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD)
Muataz Al Barwani
Senior Director, Center for Research Computing
New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD)
TOPIC : Research Computing @ NYUAD
Dr. Muataz Al-Barwani is the Senior Director of the Center for Research Computing at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD). He joined NYUAD in February 2012 to establish the center for High Performance Computing (HPC).
Before coming to NYU Abu Dhabi Muataz established the HPC Facility at Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat, Oman becoming its’ inaugural manager in 2008. In addition to being a full-time faculty and researcher in the area of computational physics.
He received his bachelors’ degree in Physics from Sultan Qaboos University (Oman) in 1992, a master’s degree in Physics from Brown University (USA) in 1995 and a Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics from the University of Bristol (UK) in 2000.
Dr. Suhaimi Napis
Lecturer; Founder and CEO
Universiti Putra Malaysia; SIFULAN
Dr. Suhaimi Napis
Lecturer; Founder and CEO
Universiti Putra Malaysia; SIFULAN
TOPIC : Federated ldentity and its Associated Services as Enablers for Global Learning lnitiative
Dr. Suhaimi Napis received his BSc (Biology) and MSc (Veterinary Immunobiology) from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA. He holds a Doctorate degree from the University of Durham, UK in the field of Plant Molecular Biology. He served as Director Infocomm Development Centre and Deputy Director, Private Grant Division of Research Management Centre. During his career as lecturer, he was actively involved in the Asia Pacific Advanced Network Organization and presently a Member of the APAN Board of Directors. He co-founded Malaysian Research and Education Network (MYREN) and also SIFULAN Malaysian Access Management. Actively involved in the development of High Performance Computing in Malaysia as well as internationally, he went on to co-found Asia Open Access Initiative and is still active in Open data Open Science until now. He taught molecular biology, plant biotechnology and bioinformatics at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Universiti Putra Malaysia until his retirement in January 2020. He is presently being appointed by Universiti Putra Malaysia under the Amal Putra (Volunteer) Program and recently being appointed by Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries as Permanent Member of National Agriculture Advisory Council (Ahli Tetap, Majlis Penasihat Pertanian Negara (2020-2021)). He established an ICT start-up company called Birunisoft focusing on systems related to research and education with emphasis on greater and trustworthy collaboration among researchers using SIFULAN Federated Single Sign-On and also on Research Data Management and Repository System with close collaboration with Research Center for Open Science and Data Platform of National Institute of Informatics, Japan.
Dr. Nagham Al-Azzawi
Assistant Professor
Rustaq UTAS
Dr. Nagham Al-Azzawi
Assistant Professor
Rustaq UTAS
TOPIC : University Hybridity
Dr. Nagham Al Azzawi is an Assistant Professor at Rustaq College of Education, UTAS, Oman and an external reviewer for the Oman Authority for Academic Accreditation and Quality Assurance of Education (OAAAQA). She has been Head of the Students and Students` Support Services Quality Assurance Sub-committee at Rustaq College of Education for several years where she supervises and contributes to the College action plan to support its largest category of stakeholders. Dr. Al Azzawi obtained her Ph.D. degree from the University of Al Mustansirriya, Iraq, in 2004 followed by an IDELTM, Cambridge, 2013. She has presented in various national and regional conferences in Iraq, Oman, Lebanon, UAE, and Turkey. She has published translations, two contributions to curricula books, three program reviews, a number of papers, and is now working on further QA projects.
Mohammad Ather Ansari
Senior Expert, ICT
Omantel
Mohammad Ather Ansari
Senior Expert, ICT
Omantel
TOPIC : The Role 5G for Research and Higher Education
Mohammad Ather Ansari is a Senior Expert, ICT representing the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) division within Oman Telecommunications Company SAOG (Omantel).
He is an experienced Telecom and ICT professional and has worked extensively for more than a decade in Telecommunications, ICT and Digital Technologies space. His current role is focused on next generation technologies and areas such as 5G, IoT, Cloud Computing, Smart Cities, Big Data & Analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Blockchain. He is a Digital Transformation enthusiast and have completed an executive modular program on Leading Digital Transformation jointly designed, developed and delivered by IIM Bangalore and Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Germany. He has been assisting organizations across Oman to realize their digital transformation dream by bringing forth market intelligence, an ICT Ecosystem and the technologies itself.
Mohammad holds a bachelor degree in Economics, Masters of Business Administration (MBA) specializing in Marketing and Computer Systems and a Higher Diploma in Software Engineering from India, worked in Banking and Finance and Retail industry in early years of his career.
Hassan Abdul Ali
GM, Service Delivery & PMO
Oman Data Park
Hassan Abdul Ali
GM, Service Delivery & PMO
Oman Data Park
TOPIC : Cloud HPC and AI Modeling for Academics
Hassan Abdul Ali heads the Service Delivery and Project Management Office at Oman Data Park. During his 30+ years of experience, Hassan has worked with some of the top leaders in IT including VMWare VDC, Azure Cloud, IBM Power VM, and Redhat KVM. He has been involved in key projects such as Cisco collaboration, IBM middleware, EFT switch technology implementation, and Citrix virtualization.
A veteran in the banking sector in Oman, He was also instrumental in the implementation of various Banking applications, e-governments systems, B2B, B2G, Enterprise Service Bus, E-business applications and BPM.
Effective project management means having the best governance, transparency, and reusability. Hassan ensures Oman Data Park follows best practices to help its clients accomplish their projects as smoothly as possible.
Vaneet Mehta
Region Head - Middle East, Central Asia and Africa
Tata Communications
Vaneet Mehta
Region Head - Middle East, Central Asia and Africa
Tata Communications
TOPIC : Connecting and Transforming Educational Institutions in the Middle East
Vaneet Mehta is Associate Vice President for Middle East, Central Asia and Africa at Tata Communications. In this role, Vaneet is responsible for driving business growth and leading partnerships with telecommunications service providers and enterprises in the region. He provides businesses in MECAA with next generation managed services, driving their digital transformation journey, helping them manage their business risk and expanding their global reach.
Vaneet has over 25 years of experience in telecom and technology across India, APAC, Middle East and Africa. Prior to Tata Communications, Vaneet was Director at Subex Limited where he led Sales in the Middle East and North Africa region. Previously, at Megasoft Limited, Vaneet was responsible for telecom & technology sales in SAARC and Middle East. Vaneet has also held senior positions in Globacom Nigeria, Reliance Communications and Bharti Airtel.
Vaneet did his MBA in International Business and holds a bachelor’s degree in Electronics & Telecom. He has also done a senior management course on strategic planning, financial reporting & analysis and risk management from Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta.
Vaneet’s hobbies include playing cricket, badminton, quad biking and watching thriller movies.
Kevin Meynell
Senior Manager, Technical & Operational Engagement
Internet Society
Kevin Meynell
Senior Manager, Technical & Operational Engagement
Internet Society
TOPIC : Routing Security as a Norm: Good MANRS for the Internet
Kevin Meynell works at the Internet Society as the Senior Manager of Technical and Operational Engagement supporting the deployment of key Internet technologies including Routing Security and the MANRS initiative. He previously worked for JANET, the UK NREN, before joining TERENA (now the GÉANT Association) where he worked for the next 16 years on activities including the 6NET and 6DISS IPv6 deployment projects, eduroam, the Global Lambda Interconnect Facility, the TERENA Certificate Service and TF-CSIRT, as well having responsibilities for NREN Development Support in Eastern and Southern Europe, and Central Asia. After leaving TERENA, he worked as the Manager of the Shibboleth Consortium that develops the widely used Shibboleth web single sign-on software, before moving to APNIC as its Head of Training in 2014. He joined the Internet Society in October 2015.