A conference aimed at fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange focusing on cutting-edge technologies and future solutions for the design and application of network and communication systems kicked off in Windhoek on Tuesday. 

The three-day 2024 International Conference on Emerging Trends in Networks and Computer Communications is being attended by pioneering researchers, scientists, industrial engineers, and students. 

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, events such as the International Conference on Emerging Trends in Networks and Computer Communications are essential for staying ahead in the fast-paced world of technology, as they play a pivotal role in shaping the future of technology and connectivity.

The conference is expected to cover emerging trends in a wired and wireless network, computing, smart communication and networking, artificial intelligence, cyber security, automation and manufacturing, and vehicle communication, among others. 

"The insights and recommendations from this conference will set the stage for ongoing development and implementation of ground-breaking solutions that will shape the future of global communications," says MTC MD Dr. Licky Erastus.

This conference is critical, as it sets the stage for the next wave of advancements in networks and communications, with discussions centred around 5G deployment strategies and artificial intelligence in networking.

"The recommendations raised from this conference will prove invaluable in the implementation of 5G connectivity and the preparedness for 6G connectivity for the country."

NCRST CEO, Prof. Anicia Peters, says, "AI is extremely costly, and as we are advancing, it becomes more and more difficult as AI infrastructure needs a lot of energy, and looking at Africa, which is already energy insecure, those are the dangers in the AI infrastructure, such as high-performance infrastructure, which is all dependent on energy, and we need highly specialised skills, we need funding and a regulatory framework."

The conference also acts as a platform for participants to submit papers and proposals for future collaboration in new technologies, share their experiences, and discuss future solutions for the design of networks and computer communications systems. 

Vice-Chancellor of NUST Dr. Erold Naomab says, "I am informed that this conference received over 339 papers that were submitted; of these, 129 were accepted after a thorough process, which means the acceptance rate for the papers is a mere 38 percent, but this reflects the prestige and popularity of the ETNCC. Therefore, it is even more gratifying that 15 papers are from NUST." 

"All accepted papers will be published and become part of the world's highest technical body of science and technology," says  ACM Windhoek Chapter, Prof. Dharm Singh Jat.

The conference brought together over 200 participants from 23 countries on five of the seven world continents.