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Ken Sylvester is the leader of the Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network, CKLN, institution that has recently completed the installation of backbone of the research and education network of the Caribbean, C@ribnet. From his central role in that particular region, he shares with us his views on the role of research and education networks  and the importance of global collaboration.

What comes to your mind when you hear that a researcher is talking about collaboration?

I think of an individual or research organisation wanting to expand the scope of their study by including and collaborating with others interested in the same subject…perhaps bringing a different perspective or orientation. For instance, if someone is doing some research on the role of young fathers in their children’s lives, this might be both a quantitative and qualitative study on a particular cohort of men in a particular country. However, if there is another researcher/research institution conducting a study on the same or a similar cohort of men in another country, both could benefit by comparing and contrasting their findings and developing a common analysis. Or it may be that the other researcher is focussing on very specific economic factors affecting male decision making...each of these studies could conceivably be strengthened and enriched by collaboration. What is important however, is that research findings be a “translated” into layman’s terms so they can be used, especially by policy makers, and ultimately not just serve the benefit of research, but serve to further development in our nations and region. The other obvious spin off is that by collaborating, scarce research funding can be stretched, and the personal connection between individuals adds to the richness of globalisation!

What would you identify as the main importance of research and education networks?

Research and education networks provide a platform for collaboration and partnerships in achieving economies of scale for knowledge development and research. Enabling teaching and learning institutions, researchers, special interest groups and regional organisations to communicate and strengthen each other, contributing towards the development of our respective nations. I think especially the ability to work with others who have dissimilar perspectives, cultures and ideas also allows for growth in understanding and (hopefully) lead to greater understanding, appreciation and perhaps even adaptation of ideas and concepts.

How would you describe the role of CKLN at both a regional and a global level?

CKLN is a regional agency of the Caribbean Community, CARICOM and thus answers to the heads of state of all twenty (20)  member states. These Heads have given CKLN the mandate to establish the infrastructure for regional network, C@ribNET, and to facilitate the development of national research and education networks (NRENs) that will be the user groups for the network. So we are really now facilitators, incubating the NRENs, and enabling collaboration by convening meetings among Caribbean NRENs and with others through our international connections to other networks such as RedCLARA, Géant, Internet 2, Ubuntunet Alliance, APAN etc. CKLN is seen as providing this critical network, and so is now beginning to be sought out as a significant partner for regional institutions exploring applications requiring regional and international connectivity. Likewise, the international networks see that this hole has now been plugged, and are also beginning to more actively engage with the Caribbean, through the CKLN.

How important for CKLN is collaboration with other regional networks and in what ways do you collaborate at a global level?

Collaboration is critical for us, and we are happy that networks such as RedCLARA have been alongside us from the inception. We have been able to benefit from certain skill sets that we do not yet have in the Caribbean – for instance engineering, applications development. We are the new kid on the block, and so we look to those that have the experience, to guide us and help us until we identify and strengthen the skill sets within our own Caribbean ranks. We recently collaborated with RedCLARA on the first Global Virtual Day by providing a presenter and translator for the session. We see that once the regional NERNs become more established, these types of collaborative efforts will increase, and CKLN will certainly encourage and facilitate these as far as possible. This would extend to teaching and learning possibilities across the globe, as there are specific topics and sectors in which the region has some unique perspectives and advantages. Governments can certainly utilise the network for greater and more frequent discourse on critical regional issues, and this of course extends internationally.

How do you think global collaboration among regional networks will change in the coming years?

The current generation was born into the digital age and therefore have expectations of how they communicate. Their demands and uses will guide how the networks will change in the coming years... speed, high resolution, real time, wireless access on a wide range of devices. What will be critical is the capacity of the networks to manage the traffic, ensure security, speed of response for services etc.

Could you describe your vision of R&E networks in the future?

I see R&E networks becoming not just national but across nations…so not just an Jamaican network, or an Argentinian or Italian network, but networks of Poets, or networks of Physicists, Geologists, choreographers etc….more speciality networks that utilise their respective national and regional networks. It will be an exciting time, and one in which our 3 and 4 year olds will consider the norm. Current developments and inventions will be tested and many new applications developed….the sky is the limit, but it will be important to keep certain protocols and systems in place to avoid abuse. But I think the possibilities are as limited as the imagination of the students and users of networks to advance their dreams.