WIDE Project, Advanced IT Architects Training Council (AITAC), and APNIC have agreed to continue cooperating to develop Internet human resources in the Asia-Pacific region and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on February 20, 2024.
Under the MOU, the three parties confirmed that they will jointly implement the following activities:
a. to enhance capacity building towards a global, open, secure, stable, affordable, accessible, and resilient Internet in Asia-Pacific;
b. to contribute to developing the next generation of network engineers with multidisciplinary and collaborative minds to improve cyberspace for society;
c. to explore collaboration in capacity building and training programs aiming for scientific knowledge and technical skills leverage in the region; and
d. to promote linkage between academia and industry and support career development.
WIDE Project is a Japan-based global research consortium established in 1988 to promote research related to Internet technologies, standards, and society in collaboration with industry, government, and academic organizations. It has also been involved in the operation of M root DNS servers and the implementation and promotion of IPv6 since its inception.
Currently, through the operation of ARENA-PAC[1], the main artery of RENs (Research and Education Networks) in the Asia-Pacific region, WIDE plays an active role in infrastructure development and operation to support education and research in the region.
As part of the WIDE Project since 2001, SOI Asia launched the APIE (Asia Pacific Internet Engineer) Program[2] in 2021 to promote regional REN operations and the development of next-generation Internet human resources. The APIE program aims to develop young human resources through a variety of online and in-person activities.
AITAC is working to develop young human resources through a variety of online and face-to-face activities aimed at REN operations in the region and fostering the next generation of Internet professionals. Established in 2017 to contribute to the development of human resources in Japan, AITAC will be responsible for operating and managing IT infrastructure in the IoT era. It offers a systematic curriculum for acquiring knowledge and skills through e-learning, in-person hands-on seminars, and certification.
APNIC, the Regional Internet Registry (RIR) for the Asia Pacific region, has been developing the knowledge and capabilities of Internet network operators, managers, educators, and regulators through the APNIC Academy. They help them understand and effectively manage Internet resources and apply appropriate Internet technologies and techniques with an extensive portfolio of online courses and onsite workshops and training in the region. Since 2021, APNIC has been advising and collaborating with APIE core courses with content, virtual learning environments, and trainers.
In the future, the three parties will further strengthen their efforts to train and educate young engineers through the APIE program. They also plan to cooperate in the development of new educational materials and courses targeting not only young students but also professional engineers, in order to feed back the latest network operation technologies and research results to the Internet community.