APAN59: From Biotechnology to Broadband Networks

How I Became an APAN59 Fellow

In November 2024, I applied for the Asia Pacific Advanced Network 59 (APAN59) Fellowship—a leap of faith given my background in biotechnology. Despite being from a different field, I was selected in December 2024 as a fellow. By March 2025, I was on a plane to Yokohama, Japan, unsure of what to expect, but determined to make the most of it.

Discovering Japan: More Than Just Tech and Anime

When we think of Japan, the usual images come to mind—high-speed trains, anime culture, cutting-edge robotics, and perhaps even Disneyland. But being there reminded me of something deeper. In Malaysia, the Look East Policy, introduced by former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad in 1982, encouraged Malaysians to emulate Japan’s work ethic, technological advancement, and social values. Seeing this firsthand gave me a new appreciation for the depth of Japan’s influence on regional development and innovation.

Experiencing APAN59 as a Biotechnology PhD Student

As a PhD student in biotechnology, I found myself surrounded by computer scientists, network engineers, data analysts, and ICT experts. I’ll be honest—I felt intimidated. I questioned whether I deserved to be among these professionals. Did I take someone else’s spot who might’ve benefited more?

But rather than let imposter syndrome win, I made a promise to myself:

1. Learn as much as I can.
2. Connect with as many people as possible.
3. Teach and share with those who are willing to learn.

I approached APAN59 with the mindset of a sponge. I attended sessions that aligned with my existing knowledge and gradually ventured into unfamiliar territory, always trying to understand the bigger picture. I avoided technical sessions that required a deep foundation in areas outside my expertise—not because I wasn’t curious, but because I wanted to engage meaningfully with the content and bring valuable insights back home.

Building Bridges—Academically and Personally

Networking was the heart of this experience. I reached out to other fellows, speakers, organizers, and professionals across disciplines. In doing so, I didn’t just gain academic and professional contacts—I found genuine friendship and a sense of community among the APAN59 fellows.

One of my memorable moments was participating in the Agricultural Working Group. The discussions on smart farming, data-driven agriculture, and digital infrastructure for food systems sparked ideas that I’m eager to explore further. I also joined the Disaster Mitigation Working Group, where I saw opportunities to connect their efforts with ongoing research and academic expertise at Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA).

After attending these sessions, I reached out to lecturers at UMPSA who might be interested in collaborating with the professionals I met. My goal was not just to gain knowledge but to act as a bridge between global networks and my local academic community.

Looking Ahead: What I Hope to Bring to APAN and UMPSA

This fellowship is just the beginning. As someone rooted in biotechnology, I see immense potential for interdisciplinary collaboration—especially in areas like bioinformatics, agricultural technology, environmental data monitoring, and sustainability solutions. My hope is to:

• Introduce more UMPSA students and researchers to APAN’s resources, workshops, and working groups.
• Strengthen Malaysia’s presence in digital and data-driven research conversations at the Asia-Pacific level.
• Contribute my own experience and findings from biotechnology research into conversations where health, agriculture, and sustainability intersect with technology.

Most importantly, I hope to represent Malaysia and UMPSA with pride in every step I take in the APAN community.