Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM) opened a data center on Monday, the 3rd—a technological infrastructure designed to strengthen the institution’s digital transformation, enhance the security of its IT systems, and improve support for teaching, scientific research, and innovation.
The ceremony was presided over by Mozambique’s Minister of Communications and Digital Transformation, Américo Muchanga. During the event, the minister stated that the infrastructure represents an important step toward strengthening the resilience of digital services in the country, reducing the risk of outages through redundant power systems.
“The infrastructure will be powered by the electrical grid, but it can also operate using solar panels or a generator. This redundancy significantly reduces the likelihood of failures, which is essential for ensuring the continuous, secure, and reliable operation of an infrastructure capable of serving the entire country,” he said.
The minister also emphasized that “the center will help ensure the operation of strategic infrastructure, such as the .mz domain and MozIX (Mozambique Internet Exchange Point), the national Internet traffic exchange point, thereby strengthening the stability of national digital services.”
Muchanga also called on universities to take over management of the Mozambican Education and Research Network (MoRENet) in the future, arguing that the academic community should lead the technological infrastructure dedicated to education and research.
“As is the case in other countries, we want MoRENet to no longer be under the supervision of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Transformation and instead be managed by the universities, ensuring a more direct response to the needs of higher education and research institutions in Mozambique,” he said.
The minister added that this is an infrastructure with enormous capacity, which should serve the academic community.
According to the minister, although the country currently has a transmission capacity of 100 gigabits per second for educational and research institutions, it is necessary to begin preparing now to ensure the sustainability of that capacity for the coming years.
Muchanga emphasized that digital transformation depends on training qualified personnel and generating knowledge, advocating for greater investment in areas such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
“As more services are digitized, it becomes essential to ensure citizens’ trust by protecting information, users, and digital infrastructure. Only in this way can we ensure that the country is prepared to prevent and respond to threats and attacks that compromise the functioning of our services,” he said.
For his part, UEM Rector Manuel Guilherme Júnior emphasized that the Data Center represents a milestone in the university’s modernization and is part of the institutional digital transformation strategy launched in 2023, with the goal of strengthening teaching, research, and university management.
According to the rector, the infrastructure has a storage capacity approximately 14 times greater than that of the previous server room and was designed with modern climate control, security, and monitoring systems, as well as the potential for expansion.
“This investment fulfills the institution’s strategic priorities by strengthening teaching, research, and innovation. It improves support for academic activities, bolsters digital transformation, and increases management efficiency. At the same time, it promotes skills development and provides a modern technological infrastructure, ready to meet the challenges of the future,” emphasized the UEM rector.
The official added that the infrastructure is part of a broader technological ecosystem, which includes new courses in computer science and telecommunications, specialized laboratories, and future guidelines for the responsible use of artificial intelligence.
“The Data Center serves as a strategic platform to consolidate the institution’s digital transformation, strengthen scientific research, and create the conditions for the University to continue contributing to Mozambique’s technological and scientific development,” he said.
The Eduardo Mondlane University Computer Science Center (CIUEM) is one of the country’s leading institutions in the development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). In addition to supporting UEM’s digital transformation, it conducts applied research, provides technological services, promotes innovation, and trains personnel in strategic areas.
Source: Diário Económico
