Raxio Data Centre, a prominent provider of data centre services in Uganda, showcased its commitment to the education and research sectors by actively participating in the RENU ICT Directors Forum 2024.
Held from July 18 to 19 at the Speke Resort Munyonyo, the forum focused on key themes of “Trust and Identity” and “Connectivity,” highlighting the critical need for secure and reliable ICT environments in educational institutions.
Engaging with stakeholders
Nicholas Mbonimpa, CEO of RENU, emphasized the forum’s role as a vital platform for accountability among its members.
In his opening remarks, he stated, “When we come together in this forum, we reflect on the services we offer to you through the feedback you give us, and that is how we have managed to stay as a strong National Research and Education Network (NREN) community.”
The event featured a variety of presentations and discussions led by industry experts, showcasing the latest advancements and best practices in ICT tailored for educational and research institutions.
Dr. Francis F. Tusubira, the Guest of Honour, urged ICT directors to innovate and think beyond traditional technology, advocating for solutions that resonate with the needs of the younger generation.
Raxio’s role in Data Management
Godfrey Sserwamukoko, General Manager of Raxio Data Centre, presented on the advantages of colocation services and the significance of utilizing a Tier III certified carrier and cloud-neutral data centre.
According to the International Data Corporation (IDC) report, higher education institutions generate approximately 300 petabytes of data annually from various sources, including research activities and administrative processes. This staggering volume of data necessitates effective management and accessibility, a topic that resonated with many attendees.
Raxio Data Centre stands out as Uganda’s only Tier III certified facility, offering best-in-class equipment and a capacity to accommodate up to 400 racks.
Godfrey pointed out, “We ensure 99.982% uptime via a fully redundant and concurrently maintainable design offering 2N+1 design on power, cooling, connectivity, space, and 24/7 CCTV monitoring.” This level of reliability is crucial for educational institutions that depend on consistent access to data and services.
Emphasizing business continuity
During his presentation, Godfrey urged educational and research institutions to adopt a business continuity perspective regarding their networks. He noted that leveraging the advanced technological infrastructure of a Tier III data centre can significantly enhance their capabilities in data storage, business continuity, and disaster recovery.
“You want to be in a situation where the internet is a minimum requirement for academic institutions to compete on a global stage because everything runs online,” he stated.
Prof. Madara Ogot, CEO of UbuntuNet Alliance, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for technology to support research initiatives. Meanwhile, Andrew Otim, Head of Strategy at the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), highlighted the commission’s efforts to collaborate with ICT sector players to deliver convenient, faster, and affordable integrated solutions.
A collaborative effort
The RENU ICT Directors Forum attracted ICT directors from various educational and research institutions, alongside regional and international IT infrastructure providers.
Other notable sponsors included AWS, Mantra Technologies, Renu Mesh, Redington, Simplifi Networks, Gold Star Insurance, Soliton Telmec, Raridali Company Limited, and Flexoptix. This diverse participation underscores the collaborative spirit necessary for advancing ICT in Uganda’s educational landscape.
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