Call for Participants : TEIN4 Application WorkshopTitle : Workshop on the Establishment of Best Practices on Applications, Data Management, Storage, and Utilization of Large Climate Data Sets for Bench Marking of the TEIN4 NetworkWhen : 13 December 2013Where : Quezon City, PhilippinesActivity Website (for on-line registration) - To be announcedBackgrounder :Countries in South East Asia particularly the Philippines are prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, typhoons, and other natural disasters due to its natural topography and location. Most research institutions, humanitarian non-government organizations, and local government units are faced with an increasing demand for environmental data as part of managing and mitigating disasters caused by climate change and other uncontrollable factors. Monitoring current weather conditions, forecasting, and analysis can sometimes be deficient and inaccurate due to the lack of other sources of data input, such as satellite imagery.If this satellite data is to be used for real-time monitoring and forecasting, the data must be transferred in the shortest amount of time possible through a reliable and stable Internet network for researchers to provide the right services needed by the public in effectively carrying out disaster management. Objectives :The workshop aims to establish methods of best practices on applications, data management, storage, and utilization of large climate/satellite data sets among selected space agencies and various research organizations.Specifically, this activity aims to identify the important role of the TEIN4 network in further enhancing the management and sharing of climate and satellite data sets among TEIN4 network users, particularly among National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) and its members or partner institutions, which could also benefit from the best practices.The workshop also aims to jump start the feasibility of establishing a collaboration on formally sharing and accessing data among present and future local and international beneficiaries of the TEIN4 network for further advancement of research and education with regard to climate change adaptation in the Asian region.Description of the activities :The first part of the activity will be a two-day consultative closed-group workshop from 11-12 December 2013, which will be done by Philippine stakeholder researchers in consultation with the experts and speakers from United Kingdom’s National Weather Service (UK Met), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), German Remote Sensing Data Center, German Aerospace Center (DLR), and Korea Astronomy and Space Institute (KASI). Through this, lessons learned, best practices, and other needs of the local stakeholders, and those who would like to be members of the consortium/collaboration, would be identified.The second activity will be a one-day workshop on December 13, 2013. This will be composed of presentation of topics, lessons learned and best practices gathered through the consultative workshop. A stakeholders’ meeting and focus group discussion to get the commitment of the local organizations, TEIN4 and its partners to participate in the post-development work plan and future consortium/collaboration will end the activity.Target Attendees/Audiences :- Selected members of the TEIN4 partner organizations utilizing the network for disaster management and/or their recommended institutions who are most concerned in climate data management and disaster management. - Research and Development institutions whether local or international who would like to take part in the future collaboration with regard to climate change and disaster management research using the TEIN4 network. - Decision makers among local and international organizations, and local government units directly involved in disaster management.* TEIN4 partners, NRENs or their recommended patrner and member organizations are encouraged to attend the activity on December 13, 2013.TEIN4 will cover the cheapest economy airfare and per diems up to a maximum of 2 nights, on reimbursement basis to eligible NREN members. Guidelines on application for attending the workshop will be provided personally. Please contact the organizers through email.Topics for the workshop-conference : 1. Current Situation in the Philippines: Management and Storage of Climate-related Data.2. TEIN Initiatives and Best Practices related to Climate Data Management. 3. The role of remote sensing technologies and GIS for the disaster management and climate change adaptation in the Philippines. 4. Best Practices in Europe on Using Space-based Information for Disaster Management. 5. Data mining and management practices on data related to Climate change. 6. Bridging Disaster Management and Space Community: UK-MET and its activities. 7. Use of Space-based Technologies in the United Nations System. 8. Space-borne Technology for Climate Monitoring in South Korea. 9. Space-based Resources and Climate Data Management. Contact information of organizers :  For more information, please contact Ms. Pinky R. Manio and Ms. Ryne Amatorio with email address trainings@asti.dost.gov.ph and Telephone: (+63) (2) 927 3093.

Expert Consultation on the Asian Information Superhighway and Regional Connectivity24-25 September 2013, Manila, PhilippinesThe United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology, ICT office (DOST-ICTO) of the Government of thePhilippines, are co-organizing an Expert Consultation on the Asian Information Superhighway and Regional Connectivity.  The purpose of the consultation is threefold  a) identify choke points and dark spots in subregional, regional and international connectivity, assess related investment opportunities and financing options b) review the regional map that ESCAP and ITU have jointly developed on the fibre-optic backbone networks, and propose activities for phase II of map development c) gree on a roadmap for the Asian information superhighway initiative, including terms of reference for a working group that will be tasked with drafting an intergovernmental cooperation arrangement, as contained in ESCAP Resolution 69/10.International participants of the consultations will consist of experts from ICT ministries and agencies, and telecom regulators of ESCAP member countries including ASEAN members and private sector, regional and international ICT experts. And also related international organizations, such as Asian Development Bank (ADB), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), World Bank, ASEAN Secretariat, will be represented in the Consultation.Link site : http://www.unescap.org/idd/events/2013-Expert-Consultation/index.asp                    

TEIN4 NOC Annual Workshop 2013The TEIN4 NOC Annual Workshop 2013 will be held at intERlab, AIT, Thailand from 25th to 29th November 2013. For this workshop, each partner is allowed to send up to 2 participants.Financial support will be provided for 1 participant from each partner country, covering the cheapest roundtrip economy airfare and Diems for 6 nights. The 2nd participant will be at NRENs own cost. AIT has already sent out invitation letter to all our NREN partners via email, requesting for nomination of participant(s). If you have not received the invitation, please inform us soonest at: tech@teincc.orgWe look forward to our NREN partners support and active participation at this workshop.                    

In the July issue of GÉANT CONNECT, highlights include:(i) Regional Research Networking – Past, Present and Future (Pg 11)(ii) New Afghanistan NREN – AfgREN – our new TEIN Partner (Pg 36)(iii) Interview: Francis Lee, SingAREN and TEIN*CC (Pg 37)Check it out now at: http://issuu.com/danteprm/docs/connect_12_web_final                    

The new CONNECT (Oct issue) is out and features an article on TEIN (Pg 36).More details can be found at:  http://issuu.com/danteprm/docs/connect_13_web                    

TEIN*CC, 4th Governors' Meeting and 3rd TEIN4 Project Meeting TEIN*CC, 4th Governors' Meeting and 3rd TEIN4 Project Meeting were held in Daejeon, Korea, on 19~22 August 2013.The programs of these meetings were progressed as follows ;19 August- 09:00 ~ 15:30, the 3rd TEIN4 Project Meeting- 16:00 ~ 17:30, the 4th TEIN*CC Governors’ Meeting- 18:30 ~ 20:00, TEIN4 Dinner Reception20 August - 11:00~12:00 TEIN Special Session for New TEIN patnersAdditionally, bi-lateral meetings and some joint-NREN meetings between TEIN*CC and NRENs were also held on 20-23 August as follows :20 August, Joint meetings with new NRENs and neighboring NRENs21 August, South Asia NRENs22 August, Southeast Asia NRENs and non-beneficiaries

The 4th phase of TEIN project was launched on 05th July 2013 in Vietnam at “The 6th VinaREN Conference” in Hanoi. There were about 150 participants from research and science organizations. Deputy Minister of Ministry of Science and Technology Dr. Tran Viet Thanh and Ms. Natividad Lorenzo, representative of Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam attended to celebrate TEIN4 launching ceremony and the 6th VinaREN conference.  TEIN4 Vietnam launching event follows the endorsement of the 4th phase of TEIN project by Asian and European Heads of State at the ASEM 8 Summit in Brussels in October 2010. The 6th VinaREN conference also is organized to provide the update on VinaREN activities, shared VinaREN application experiences in research and education among VinaREN members and future developments of VinaREN.  For more information.  http://en.nhandan.org.vn/en/scitech/sci-tech/item/1845802-vietnam-launches-fourth-phase-of-trans-eurasia-information-network.htmlhttp://vietnambreakingnews.com/2013/07/vinaren-connects-vietnamese-scientists-with-global-peers/http://en.vinaren.vn/index.php/News/http://en.vinaren.vn/index.php/News/high-capacity-pan-asian-tein4-research-network-launched-and-the-6th-vinaren-conference-in-vietnam.html 

Announcements: DANTE celebrates 20 years of networking excellence!Check out their new website to find out more on its celebration news and latest updates.http://www.dante.net/Media_Centre/News/Pages/DANTE-celebrates.aspx                    

Call for Proposals:  Annual NOC Workshop for TEIN Network EngineersTEIN Annual NOC Workshop 2013On behalf of the TEIN4 project, TEIN*CC would like to make a call for proposals to interested individuals or organizations who are willing to collaborate over TEIN4 and its peering networks; to host “Annual NOC Workshop” aimed at bringing TEIN4 network engineers to the level qualified for the operation & management of network for their NRENs and therefore promote international collaborations and TEIN4 applications. Information on the TEIN4 network can be found at www.tein4.netThe TEIN Annual NOC Workshop will have 2 sessions and the topics to be hosted are as follows:● Session 1: Internet Quality of Service (QoS) and Class of Service (CoS)-related technology; Implementation methods to provide seamless prioritization for selected traffics or flows throughout TEIN network and its participants, and therefore to serve and promote researches and studies which require better quality and reduction of delay in the network ● Session 2: Presentation of NOC Operation Report by Participating NRENsWorkshop must meet the following requirements:● The hosting venue will be at one of the Beneficiary partners of TEIN4, in accordance to the EC procurement guideline. ● The Workshop must be conducted before the end of December 2013. ● At least 1 engineer and not more than 2 from each beneficiary partner of TEIN4 project will be invited to participate in the workshop; with financial support of air-fare and per-diems, where applicable. Participants from hosting countries may be eligible for per-diems, where applicable. Reimbursement will be proceeded with the TEIN*CC’s guideline. Additional attendees are welcome at their own cost. ● QoS/CoS Session is encouraged to collaborate with the experts of Non-beneficiary countries or other European organizations or institutions and can be conducted as a training format.Evaluation Criteria covered but not limited to the following areas, subject to any change to the contents of the Proposals:● Cost ● Infrastructure (Internet access, equipment, housing and etc.) ● Attendance sizeA proposal (not longer than 5 A4 pages) should include the following:● Set of objectives / Expected results / Synopsis program / Target audience(s) / Instructors ● Outline budget: A break-down cost quotation for estimated budget is to be included in the Proposal in Euros. The 30,000 Euros can be used to partially support travel of resource persons and participants and for the organization of the event.Important Dates:Proposal submission: 5 August 2013, addressed to: tech@teincc.orgAcceptance notification: 13 August 2013For any inquiries, please email to: tech@teincc.org                    

Call for Proposals: Training Program for TEIN Network EngineersTEIN Training Program 2013On behalf of the TEIN project, TEIN*CC would like to make a call for proposals to interested individuals or organizations who are willing to collaborate over TEIN and its peering networks; to host training program aimed at enhancing the capacity of the TEIN beneficiary partners to develop and manage their national R&E networks and therefore promote international collaboration.Information on the TEIN network can be found on http://www.tein.asiaBased on the recent HRD survey, TEIN*CC would like to welcome proposals for Training Courses covering but not limited to, the following areas:● Campus Network Design● Network Management and Monitoring● Routing, Peering and Management● Network Performance● Network SecurityOther Points to be noted:● The Training Program must be conducted during the course of 2nd year of reporting period to EC which currently is estimated to be 31st Jan 2014.● The Training Program can be sponsored with the support from Non-beneficiary countries or other organizations or institutions or private companies. The Supports can be varied from dispatches of trainers and provision of equipments to financial ones. In all cases, the sponsorship will be coordinated and approved by TEIN*CC and the general principles and rules of the EC will be applied.● For the efficiency and effectiveness of the Training Program, Beneficiary countries of TEIN will be categorized into 2 Groups based on geo-graphics as follows. Group A: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri-Lanka Group B: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam. At least 1 engineer and not more than 2 from each other countries in same Group will be invited to participate in the program with financial support of air flights and per-diems, where applicable. Participants from hosting countries may be eligible for per-diems, where applicable. Training Programs will be sought to be proportionately distributed in accordance with Groups.● Inviting engineers from TEIN candidate countries are highly encouraged, subject to budget availability. Current Candidates are Myanmar, Mongolia, Afghanistan and Maldives. Evaluation Criteria covered but not limited to the following areas: subject to change reflecting contents of Proposals● Cost● Preparation of Infrastructure (Internet access, equipment, housing and etc..)● Attendance sizeA proposal (not longer than 3 A4 pages) should include the following:● Set of objectives● Expected outcome● Synopsis program● Target Participant(s)● Outline budget (approx. up to 10,000 Euros per Training Program). A break-down cost quotation for estimated budget is to be included in the Proposal in Euros. Budget can be used to partially support travel of resource persons and participants and for the organization of the event.Up to six programs will be supported under the TEIN Training Program 2013. One proposal for one Training Program should be submitted.Important Dates:Proposal submission: 5th July 2013 addressed to : tech@teincc.orgAcceptance notification: 15 July 2013