Cambodia's scientists take major digital step

Wednesday, 04 April 2012
ITWire.com

Cambodia is the latest country to be connected to Trans-Eurasia Information Network (TEIN3), the pan-Asian research and education network, bringing the number of Asian countries benefiting from the high speed network to 17.

The new link initially connects the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) in Phnom Penh and has the potential to connect Cambodia’s 35,000 researchers with scientists around the world. This move will improve the quality and quantity of research conducted in Cambodia’s higher education institutes and research centres.

The development of Cambodia’s national research and education network, CamREN, will be boosted by its link to TEIN3, as it works to strengthen national and international research collaboration.

To achieve the physical connection CamREN worked closely with VinaREN, the national research and education network organisation of neighbouring Vietnam, VinaREN helping arranged a dedicated link from its network in Hanoi to ITC and providing access to its existing TEIN3 connection.

Dr Ta Ba Hung, Director General of NASATI/VinaREN, commented: ‘When the TEIN2 programme began in 2004 VinaREN was similarly starting from scratch and appreciated the support of the TEIN2 programme and other national partners. VinaREN has quickly established research connectivity across Vietnam and we are very pleased to help Cambodia start out along this road. We are grateful for the generous support provided by Viettel, a leading Telco in Vietnam who set up the dedicated physical link between VinaREN and CamREN.’

The successful connection to TEIN3 was driven by the Network Startup Resource Centre (NSRC) based at the University of Oregon which worked with CamREN technicians to provide the equipment and technical assistance at the ITC campus to complete the connection.

Dr Steven Huter Director of the NSRC said, ‘From our discussions with Samnang Khiev of ITC, it became clear that one critical factor preventing this link from becoming operational was a single piece of hardware, which the NSRC provided to remove that obstacle. Step by step, brick by brick, the R&E cyber infrastructure in the TEIN3 region is becoming stronger and better integrated. Special thanks to Dale Smith of NSRC and Nguyen Hong Van of VinaREN for helping CamREN to develop an initial network design plan that is affordable and scalable.’

Dr Sackona Phoeurng of CamREN said, ‘Our connection to TEIN3 comes at a critical time in our country’s research development. The fields of study that can now be developed thanks to this link include e-learning, telemedicine, earth and atmospheric sciences, emerging diseases, crop research and information and communication technology. Science and Technology in these sectors are still needs to more developed. We are very excited at finally being able to connect with the global research and education community. Without the help of VinaREN and NSRC, connection to TEIN3 might have taken much longer.’

David West, project manager at DANTE (Delivery of Advanced Network Technology to Europe) for TEIN3 added, ‘This is a great example of how an emerging Asian country has been able to get connected with the help and support of the wider research and education community. In this case we have been able to augment Cambodia’s own efforts, notably the very practical assistance from its neighbours in Vietnam and from the NSRC. The new link to TEIN3 will certainly help improve the country’s science and technology capacity by providing better connectivity to researchers in Asia Pacific, and around the world.’