The work already done in the EUMEDGRID project has led to a pilot Grid
Infrastructure which covered almost all the Mediterranean Area.
EUMEDGRID-Support started from there and made a further step to push
towards a larger production quality e-Infrastructure and the adoption of more
sustainable organizational models for the provision of services.
EUMEDGRID-Support (2010-2012), kicked off on 1 January 2010, with
its launch event held 25-28 January 2010 in Cairo, Egypt
wanted to build on the successful outcomes of EUMEDGRID (2006-2008) and
spotlight Europe and the Mediterranean and Middle east regions through an
open dialogue aimed at increasing stakeholder and community awareness on the
fundamental importance of e-Infrastructures with the ultimate goal of ensuring
long-term sustainability.
To maximize outcomes, EUMEDGrid-Support adopted a two-fold approach:
bottom-up approach - serving to raise awareness among researchers,
students and technical personnel who can greatly benefit from using
e-Infrastructures in their work; and top-down bringing into sharp relief the
need for a policy framework developed with funding bodies highlighting the
value-add and need for e-Infrastructures to empower researchers and advance the
frontiers of scientific research.
EUMEDGRID-Support & ASREN
EUMEDGRID-Support project participated in the process of building the
ASREN organisation in conjunction with EUMEDCONNECT2 and GÉANT2. Through
collaboration with EUMEDGRID Support, ASREN benefited from grid experiences
in Europe, in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries, and helped to:
Promote
harmonization of policies and standards in relevant areas at regional
level.
Promote
the adoption and usage of e-Infrastructures and services among the
scientific community.
Strengthen
regional partnerships and encouraging joint scientific research at all
levels
Facilitate
knowledge exchange and transfer processes across the region and with
relevant partners in Europe and worldwide
Advocate
at the regional level amongst decision makers and stakeholders and draw
attention to high level politicians and decision makers on the importance
of the e-Infrastructures to develop the research and education communities
in the Arab world and beyond.