Introduction: Discovering the APAN Community

The Asia Pacific Advanced Network (APAN) stands as a vital cornerstone for collaboration, uniting researchers, educators, network engineers, and technology specialists across the Asia-Pacific region and globally. It champions high-performance network infrastructure and fosters invaluable knowledge sharing in diverse fields like advanced networking, cloud computing, cybersecurity, telemedicine, and much more.

APAN’s biannual meetings are vibrant hubs of activity, featuring insightful keynotes, deep-dive technical sessions, collaborative working groups, hands-on workshops, research showcases, fellowship opportunities, and rich cultural exchanges. It’s a unique space where innovation thrives through partnership, and where emerging talents like myself can engage directly with world-leading experts.

My First Step into APAN: An Unexpected Opportunity

As an undergraduate student specializing in Computer Science and Cybersecurity at the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), Delhi Campus, with a keen interest in the intersection of AI and cybersecurity, stepping onto an international stage like APAN felt like a distant prospect. I learned about the APAN Fellowship Program from my friend who was an APAN Fellow. With encouragement, I submitted my application, hopeful but managing expectations. Receiving the acceptance email was a moment of pure excitement and disbelief!

Being awarded the APAN Fellowship was truly incredible. The program’s generous support, covering conference registration, accommodation, and meals, removed financial hurdles and allowed me to immerse myself completely in the experience – focused solely on learning, connecting, and absorbing everything Yokohama had to offer.

A Week of Immersion: Learning, Connecting, and Exploring in Yokohama

My first APAN meeting, held in the beautiful city of Yokohama, Japan, was an intensive five-day journey (March 3rd – March 6th). Each day was packed with sessions that broadened my horizons and deepened my understanding, particularly in areas crucial to my studies.

Coming from a cybersecurity background, I was naturally drawn to sessions like:

• “You Choose What to Learn in Security” Workshop (Jamie Gillespie): This interactive format was fantastic, allowing deep dives into critical topics like Email Security (phishing, SPF/DMARC/DKIM analysis) and practical Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) techniques.

• Identity Federation Topics (Terry Smith): Understanding Identity and Access Management (IAM) in a federated context is vital, and this session provided valuable insights.

• Security WG (Jamie Gillespie): Participating in the dedicated Working Group allowed me to see how security awareness and capabilities are fostered collaboratively across the APAN community and beyond.

• BOF: Omics Data Security (Sugandima Vidanagamachchi): This was a fascinating look into the unique security challenges of sensitive biological data. The discussion around using encryption, privacy protocols, and blockchain was thought-provoking, though it also raised important questions for me about the sustainability and feasibility of blockchain for such large-scale operations.

Beyond pure security, the conference exposed me to the wider research and education networking (REN) ecosystem:

• SIG: Emerging NRENs: Hearing directly from representatives from Nepal (NREN), Bangladesh (BdREN), Pakistan (HEC), and Bhutan (DrukREN) about their achievements and collaborations highlighted the incredible progress being made in research infrastructure across the region.

• SIG: Network Engineering (International Connectivity & NREN POP Updates): These sessions were eye-opening, covering everything from cutting-edge network tech (400/800G), routing, AI in networking, resilience (MANRS), and crucial updates from NRENs like APAN-JP, NetherLight, CENIC, SingAREN, and HARNET. Learning about initiatives like the Polar Connect project showcased the ambitious future of global R&E connectivity.

• Asia Pacific Research Platform (APRP) WG: Gaining insight into this platform demonstrated the powerful infrastructure enabling large-scale, data-intensive research collaborations.

These sessions provided a practical context far beyond typical university coursework, showing how theoretical concepts are applied and innovated upon in the real world by a global community.

Collaboration in Action: Working Groups and SIGs

Participating in the Security Working Group and various Special Interest Groups (SIGs) was a highlight. These weren’t just presentations; they were active discussions where experts shared ongoing projects, debated challenges, and planned future work. It was inspiring to see this level of cross-border collaboration within the REN community and to feel, even as a student fellow, that my perspective was welcomed. It gave me a tangible sense of being part of a larger, active ecosystem driving progress.

A Tapestry of Cultures and Connections

APAN is as much about people as it is about technology. The fellowship provided an incredible opportunity to meet and connect with peers from diverse backgrounds and universities across Asia – including fellow students from the Philippines, Nepal, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Taiwan. Sharing meals, discussing everything from network protocols to local customs, and learning about their unique academic journeys created lasting bonds and broadened my perspective immensely. The atmosphere was incredibly welcoming and supportive – truly embodying the spirit of collaboration. The experience in Yokohama itself was delightful, adding another layer to this memorable trip.

Bringing the Experience Home

Since returning from Yokohama, I’ve been eager to share my APAN experience with fellow students and juniors at NFSU. Many were unaware that such valuable international fellowship opportunities exist, especially for those in specialized fields like cybersecurity and forensic sciences. I’m now actively encouraging them to explore APAN and similar platforms, emphasizing how transformative this kind of exposure can be.

Looking Forward: Inspired by APAN

I am profoundly grateful to the APAN community, the Fellowship Committee, for providing me with this invaluable opportunity. Attending the meeting in Yokohama has significantly fueled my passion for cybersecurity and its intersection with AI, while also sparking a new interest in the critical role of research and education networks.

I left Japan inspired and motivated, hoping to attend future APAN meetings – perhaps next time contributing more actively, maybe even as a speaker or WG participant. APAN truly demonstrates that technology’s greatest potential is unlocked when people connect, share, and work together towards a better-connected future. I feel privileged to have taken my first steps into this incredible community and look forward to continued growth within it.

Aviral Kaintura
APAN Fellow & Undergraduate Student
National Forensic Sciences University, Delhi Campus