The EuroAfrica-P8 consortium members met this week (Jan. 29, 2013) at the EC premises in Brussels, for the mid-term review meeting of the project. In the presence of the former EC Project Officer (Mr. Klaus Pendl, 2012), the new Project Officer (Mr Vlassios Venner, 2013) and three external and independent reviewers, the consortium presented the activities implemented during the first year of the project (2012).

The meeting allowed a thorough review and discussion of all EuroAfrica-P8 project activities and outcomes. The main subjects of the discussions concerned the analysis on joint Africa-EU ICT research focus areas (including the lighthouse demonstrators, the zoom studies and the database of African research institutes), the involvement of key stakeholders in the project activities, the support to the implementation group of the Joint Africa-EU Strategic Partnership 8 (JAES/IG8/ICT), the dissemination and networking activities, and synergies with other related programs or initiatives.

The evaluation team concluded congratulating the consortium for the very good work done in 2012 (the project was rated “close to excellence”) and encouraged the consortium to keep the momentum in 2013.

The EuroAfrica-P8 Coordinator (Karine Valin, Managing Director, Sigma Orionis) expresses her appreciation to all the consortium members for their tireless efforts in getting this set of project activities off the ground. “I personally appreciated all the time and efforts that you spent in planning and organizing the activities and the close attention you paid to every details and to everyone’s goals. We received a “close to excellence” score today and this is due to our joint efforts. Your contributions and commitment made a real difference… I could’t have done it without you!” mentioned Karine.

Let’s keep the momentum going for 2013!