I was honored to participate in APAN 61 as a Fellow, representing Sri Lanka and the Lanka Education and Research Network (LEARN).

APAN 61 provided an exceptional platform to engage with NREN leaders, researchers, engineers, and policymakers across the Asia-Pacific region. The sessions on AI, HPC infrastructure, research collaboration, and advanced networking were particularly valuable for my ongoing work in Sri Lanka.

During the conference, I had the opportunity to deliver a technical presentation titled “Enhancing Intrusion Detection Systems with Generative AI: Automated Attack Simulation and Natural Language Alert Explanation.”

In addition to my presentation, I actively engaged with several APAN working groups, contributing to discussions related to AI, HPC, and research infrastructure development. These interactions provided valuable insights into regional best practices and future collaboration opportunities.

As a Digital Solutions Engineer at LEARN, I am actively involved in digital transformation initiatives, AI research coordination, and NREN service development. Participating in APAN 61 allowed me to,

• Understand regional best practices in research networking
• Explore HPC-AI collaborations across APAN member countries
• Strengthen partnerships for Sri Lanka’s National AI initiatives
• Engage with Women in STEM and young professional communities

The fellowship not only enhanced my technical knowledge but also expanded my professional network within the global NREN ecosystem.

I am sincerely grateful to APAN for the opportunity and support provided through the Fellowship Programme. Moving forward, I hope to actively engage with APAN Working Groups and contribute to ongoing regional initiatives. I also plan to conduct awareness sessions within Sri Lankan universities to introduce colleagues to APAN’s collaborative platforms and opportunities, encouraging greater participation from our academic and research community.