I had the incredible opportunity to join APAN60 in Hong Kong as a fellow. The week was filled with engaging sessions, inspiring discussions, and meaningful connections with experts and peers from across the Asia-Pacific region.

We began with the APAN Introduction & Fellowship Meeting, where I met other fellows and learned about each other’s work. This was followed by the Open and Sharing Data Working Group, which explored the challenges and solutions for improving research data sharing, with updates from different countries and institutions.

I joined the interactive “You Choose What to Learn in Security” workshop, where participants voted on cybersecurity topics — from cryptography to email security — and shaped the learning together.

Another highlight was AP-GAINED, a hands-on workshop on applying Generative AI to enhance the efficiency and services of National Research and Education Networks. I also joined the Agriculture Working Group & Rural Hybridization session, which focused on using IoT, networking, and web services to support agricultural and rural development.

The Opening Ceremony was a vibrant celebration with a lion dance and welcome remarks from APAN leaders. I also attended the SIG on Marketing & Communications, where we discussed strategies for improving outreach and engagement across NRENs.

In the AI-driven Networks Working Group, I learned how AI can transform network management and automate incident handling. The E-Culture Working Group showcased how technology can visualize cultural heritage, build e-resources, and promote cross-cultural exchange.

The APAN60 Conference featured inspiring keynotes on human-AI decision-making, the history of APAN’s network engineering, and insights from industry leaders at the JUCC55 Conference on AI, cybersecurity, and smart campus development.

The event concluded with the Closing Ceremony, where fellows shared their experiences. It was inspiring to hear diverse perspectives from across the region, united by the shared goal of advancing research, education, and community development.

Key Takeaways:

• Collaboration across borders drives innovation.

• Generative AI has huge potential for education and research networks.

• Open data requires both strong infrastructure and a culture of sharing.

• Networking is one of the most valuable outcomes of such events.

Being part of APAN60 was a truly enriching experience — one that broadened my knowledge, expanded my network, and inspired me to contribute more actively to the research and education community.