Enlightened by Disaster Mitigation New Technology and APAN Networking: My Journey as a Fellow at APAN 60
DMWG (Disaster Mitigation Working Group), APAN60, APAN60 Fellowship, APAN-HK
Date: July 28- August 1, 2025
Location: Grand Hyatt Hotel, Hong Kong
I am deeply honored to have been selected as a Fellow for the 60th Asia Pacific Advanced Network (APAN) Conference, held in Hong Kong, a prestigious gathering that convened leading researchers, technologists, and policy advocates from across the region to collaboratively shape the future of digital infrastructure and community-driven innovation.
During this transformative week, I had the privilege of actively contributing to the technical operations of several key sessions, including:
- Agriculture Working Group (AgWG)
- Disaster Mitigation Working Group (DMWG)
- Open and Sharing Data Working Group: Updates, Connect, and Move Forward
- AI-Driven Networks Working Group
In addition to these responsibilities, I was invited to provide technical assistance in the conference’s different activity group sessions and working groups’ full sessions held in the Pool House and Saloon 2 & 3 at the Grand Hyatt hotel venue. This unique opportunity allowed me to play a direct role in shaping the strategic flow and seamless coordination of the conference’s technical tracks.
A particularly meaningful highlight of the conference occurred on July 30, 2025, when I had the honor of presenting my PhD research, titled “The Assessment of the Climate Change Drought-Wet Conditions in the Coastal Part of Bangladesh: A Historical-GRACE Satellite Data Analysis.” This session, hosted by the Disaster Mitigation Working Group (DMWG), sparked deeply engaging discussions on sustainable approaches to climate change, disaster preparedness, and innovative mitigation strategies. It was truly rewarding to witness how my work resonated with fellow researchers and practitioners, fostering dialogue on critical issues of global importance.
I am profoundly grateful to APAN60 for granting me this fellowship and for fostering a vibrant space where collaboration, curiosity, and community are not just encouraged but celebrated. This experience has deepened my appreciation for the pivotal role digital networks play in building equitable, resilient futures across the Asia-Pacific region.
Author: Md Abdullah Al Mamun, PhD Research Student, Department of Geography, Hong Kong Baptist University.
Author: Md Abdullah Al Mamun, Department of Geography, Hong Kong Baptist University
