UP hosts international Workshop and Summer School on 5G and Cognitive Radio Networks

Posted on July 26, 2016

Through the formation of a new U.S.A  NSF Institute for Cognitive Networking (iCON) funded under the auspices of National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Science Across Virtual Institutes (SAVI) program this International Workshop and Summer School is being hosted by University of Pretoria from 25-27 by the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and IT (EBIT) Faculty.

The purpose is to broadly promote and sustain wireless spectrum and cognitive wireless networking related research, education and policy centric collaborations between U.S. and Republic of South Africa’s academic, industrial and spectrum regulatory entities. A particular emphasis is a focus on the investigation of fundamental challenges related to low cost, reliable wireless broadband access technologies for traditionally underserved areas such as Africa and to promote deployment and experimentation of test-bed and prototype systems. It also envisages to develop joint research activities between SA and USA professors in 5G and Cognitive Radio technology.

This activity hopes to achieve the ff:

  • To have presentations by South African industry and research entities to showcase their work and opportunities for USA-SA collaboration

  • To have USA universities, industry and other research organizations to showcase their research work so as to create opportunities for South African potential partnerships

  • To have workshops for postgraduate students so that they can develop their technical skills in order to assist in their research work

  • To assist South African academics and postgraduate students the opportunity network and develop cutting-edge research activities with USA counterparts

  • To enable ICASA and Dept. of Telecommunications and Postal Services to engage with local and international organizations on 5G and white space policy matters, technologies and future research questions.

This Workshop and Summer School is funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF), SA and the National Science Foundation(NSF), USA. Five USA experts from various universities will be presenting the summer school and 10 South African Universities and Universities of Technology staff and postgraduate students are participating. There are almost 40 postgraduate students from SA institutions are be attending the Summer School. Postgraduate students would also be presenting orally or through poster sessions their research work to the delegates so as to develop collaboration and solicit feedback on their work.

The Workshop and Summer School has attracted more than 100 delegates from SA industry, government, universities and various state owned entities. This is the first ever international Workshop and Summer School in the Telecommunications area held in South Africa.

EBIT Dean, Prof Maharaj who was the key organizer from the SA side, stated that UP is proud and privileged to be involved in organizing this event.

- Author Prof Sunil Maharaj

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