Forum on advanced networks in National Week of Science and Technology of Guatemala
Guatemalan Advanced Network for Research and Education (RAGIE) organized a forum in the traditional Week of Science and Technology, held from 19 to 23 March. More than 11,000 assisted to this event.
Advanced networks were one of the central topics in the most important activity about technology in Guatemala. The National Week of Science and Technology of Guatemala has been celebrated during the past eight years, in order to disseminate and popularize science, technology and innovation, and promote the vocation and interest among young people. The event is organized by the National Council of Science and Technology of Guatemala and the National Secretariat of Science and Technology of Guatemala.
In this edition, took place 64 lectures by senior experts. Furthermore, there was eight forums on topics of national interest, among which included the "Forum on Advanced Scientific Research Networks. "
Luis Furlan, president of RAGIE, gave a presentation about the NRENs and the advantages of advanced networks; while the CEO of this entity, Guillermo Mayorga, gave a presentation on social networks.
Furlan titled his paper "The Next Step," referring to the new generation of internet and how advanced networks represent new opportunities. "To download the movie The Matrix with a 56kbps modem, it took 172 hours, in the second generation Internet, the movie down in 30 seconds", he said.
He explained that at this time advanced networks are available only for research, development and education, which operate separately from the commercial network, with bandwidths enormous, and have enabled Guatemala to connect with the world through RedCLARA.
Mayorga took the opportunity to encourage young people to make use of advanced networks.
The forum also was attended by William Orbaugh, acclaimed guitarist and Minister of Culture spoke about how advanced networks could be used to impulse the culture. "The future is here, it will not come," he said.
An unprecedented event
The National Week of Science and Technology 2012 attendance exceeded previous 7 years, with more than 11,000 people including students, teachers, professionals, journalists and interested people. In addition, it exceeded expectations and precedents in terms of connections to the webcasts of conferences and forums.
According to William de Leon, chief information officer Senacyt, new information and communication technologies were used during the event to popularize and democratize knowledge that otherwise would be centralized only to those who might come to the event.
The activity included, among its central themes, "Science, technology, innovation and youth", "Food Security and Nutrition", "Hazardous waste technology", "Climate Change", "Space Management and Early Warning" and "Women, science and technology," among others.
The event was also carried out Expociencia: eleven researchers presented their work. Besides, there was a student competition of scientific works.
