Supported by Technical Co-Sponsor Hosted by AFRICAN UNION IST-Africa 2015 Final Programme Lilongwe, Malawi 06 – 08 May 2015 , IST-Africa 2015 Conference takes place 06 – 08 May 2015 in Lilongwe, as part of IST-Africa Week 2015.

An activity of IST-Africa, which is supported by the European Commission and African Union Commission and co-funded under the EU Framework Programme, IST-Africa 2015 is the tenth in an Annual Conference Series bringing together senior representatives from leading public, private, education & research organisations, to discuss ICT policy, showcase research results and share knowledge.

European research activities are structured around consecutive multi-annual programmes, or so-called Framework Programmes. Horizon 2020 sets out the Priorities and thematic areas, including ICT, for 2014 – 2020. Horizon 2020 is fully open to international co-operation with the aim to jointly address major challenges where significant added value is expected to be gained from a world-wide R&D cooperation.In this context, the European Commission has co-funded IST-Africa since 2006, to promote African – European research cooperation and support Information Society and ICT aspects of the Africa-EU Strategic Partnership.

Hosted by the Government of Malawi through the National Commission for Science and Technology and Technically Co-Sponsored by IEEE, IST-Africa 2015 focuses on the Role of ICT for Africa’s Development and specifically on Applied ICT research in the areas of eHealth, Technology Enhanced Learning and ICT Skills, Digital Libraries, eInfrastructures, eAgriculture, Societal Implications of Technology, International Cooperation, ICT4D and eGovernment. IST-Africa 2015 will provide a collegiate setting for presentations and discussions of national & regional developments, issues of concern & good practice models, and networking with peers. IST-Africa 2015 will also provide an opportunity to identify potential partners for future proposals under Horizon 2020. IST-Africa directly supports Information Society, Innovation and ICT aspects of the Africa-EU Strategic Partnership, the African Ministerial Council on Science and Technology (AMCOST) and the Consolidated Plan of Action for the African Regional Action Plan on the Knowledge Economy (ARAPKE).

The goals of the IST-Africa Conference Series are Community Building to facilitate EU-African research cooperation and successful exploitation of research results, to stimulate take-up of RTD results by industry and the public sector, to promote knowledge sharing between commercial, government and research organisations, to exchange experiences about the current state of eAdoption at a sectoral, national or regional level, and to support International Cooperation and open up the European Research Area (ERA) to Africa. Who will you meet? IST-Africa 2015 Conference attracts policy makers, practitioners, and researchers from leading commercial, government and research organisations around the world. Unlike many research conferences, IST-Africa provides an opportunity to meet with senior managers, practitioners, project managers, software engineers and researchers from industry, government and research organisations.

Delegates and speakers attend to share knowledge, experience and lessons learnt, and network with their peers from around the world. IST-Africa 2015 Conference also provides the unique opportunity to identify partners and opportunities to co-operate in international ICT research projects co-funded by the European Commission under Horizon 2020. Much of the European research results presented in this year’s conference were co-funded under the FP7 ICT Programme (2007 – 2013).

The Venue IST-Africa 2015 Conference takes place in Bingu International Conference Centre (Capital Hill/ Presidential Way) Lilongwe, which is 25 km from the airport. The Programme The 3-day programme features an invigorating mix of business and government case studies, technical and policy papers and interactive workshops. As well as opening and closing plenary sessions, delegates may participate in 35 thematically focused parallel sessions featuring different aspects of International Cooperation, ICT4D, eHealth, eInfrastructures, Technology Enhanced Learning and ICT Skills, Digital Libraries, Mobile Applications, ICT for Environmental Sustainability and eAgriculture, Cyber Security, Societal Implications of Technology and eGovernment. Session Chairs will ensure active discussion and facilitate delegate participation.

In the context of focusing on the Role of ICT for Africa’s Development, the Opening Plenary on Wednesday 06 May features a high level dialogue on Implementation of the Information Society in Africa. The Closing Plenary on Friday 08 May focuses on Initiatives Supporting Development of Regional S&T. The programme is subject to change and the ISTAfrica 2015 Organising Committee reserves the right to alter the contents, venue and/or speakers.

Networking Networking is a key feature of the IST-Africa Conference Series. Paper and workshop sessions are designed to maximise knowledge sharing by providing time for interactive discussions during the conference programme itself. Coffee breaks and lunch facilitate informal one-on-one and small group discussions following paper or workshop sessions.

The Delegate Showcase on the Conference Portal allows registered delegates, speakers and exhibitors to publish their own short profile and research interests to facilitate networking before, during and after the conference. Leverage this functionality to contact potential partners in advance and arrange to meet during the conference.

Living Labs Workshop, 05 May IST-Africa is organising the fifth Annual Living Lab Thematic Working Group Meeting on Tuesday 05 May 2014. This workshop will facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration between Innovation Stakeholders and operators of Living Labs and Innovation Spaces, building on progress achieved at previous Working Group Meetings in Mauritius (2014), Nairobi (2013), Dar es Salaam (2012) and Gaborone (2011). This participatory working group meeting will continue building a network of experts, public, private, education and research and societal stakeholders and entrepreneurs committed to Collaborative Innovation as a mechanism to support sustainable socio-economic development in Africa.

IST-Africa 2015 delegates are invited to preregister for this participatory working group meeting as part of online registration. Conference Proceedings The IST-Africa 2015 conference proceedings will be published on CD-ROM and on the Conference Portal. Each delegate will receive a free copy of the conference proceedings at Registration. Following the conference, registered delegates will have access to all PowerPoint presentations, which will be published on the Conference Portal. Papers that are physically presented during the event will also have the option after the event for their paper to be included in the IST-Africa 2015 Conference Proceedings will submitted for publication in IEEE Xplore.

Security, Health and Safety Please wear your name badge for all IST-Africa activities, as it is your identification and allows you access to the facilities on offer. While the conference area is on a secure site and not open to the general public, it is still necessary to take care of bags, personal computers and other personal belongings. The organisers cannot accept any responsibility for losses incurred or for personal health and safety. Delegates should ensure that they have personal health insurance and take due care when exploring Lilongwe. Any special needs or requirements should be notified to the Conference Secretariat as far in advance of the event as possible. Hotel Accommodation

Delegates can book accommodation in the President Walmont Hotel (new hotel within the conference centre complex) at discounted rates through online registration for IST-Africa 2015, based on paymnet in advance. The President Walmont Hotel is the first 5 star hotel in Malawi. It has a large reception area, a beautiful lobby bar, a relaxing lounge and Wild Orchid Restaurant. Facilities include a gym, spa facility and the Afroma Terrace Bar. Bedrooms have Air conditioning; Bath and shower; Flat screen LCD television; Selected satellite TV channels; Tea and coffee station; Writing desk and Laptop safe. Delegates are strongly recommended to book their accommodation early as it will be allocated on a first-paid basis. Hotel accommodation can only be confirmed upon receipt of the associated payment. For further information, please visit: www.IST-Africa.org/Conference2015

How to get there Lilongwe is the capital of Malawi.

There are flights to Lilongwe with Air Malawi, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, South African Airways and Zambezi Airlines.

Delegates are advised to book flights and accommodation as early as possible.

Bingu International Conference Centre is located in Capital Hill area of the city, 25km from the airport.

Sponsors IST-Africa 2015 offers a variety of Sponsorship Opportunities to enhance your organisation’s image & standing with the international IST research community. Prominent notice will be given to sponsors on the conference portal, in press releases, together with other benefits and promotional opportunities. IST-Africa 2015 is hosted by the Government of Malawi through National Commission for Science and Technology. Sponsors include MACRA (Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority), Skyband and Malawi Telecommunications Ltd.

For the most up to date information, please visit www.IST-Africa.org/Conference2015