Islamabad: The five-day Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN-58) meeting concluded in Islamabad on Friday, marking a significant gathering of international researchers, educators, and technology experts. Hosted by the Pakistan Education Research Network (PERN), under the auspices of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), the event featured a comprehensive agenda filled with workshops, tutorials, and panel discussions aimed at exploring the latest in network technologies and applications.
According to Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, the Chairman of HEC, presided over the conference’s closing ceremony. In his remarks, Dr. Ahmed highlighted the importance of hosting such a prestigious international event in Pakistan and expressed his gratitude towards the over 40 delegates from 17 different APAN member countries, as well as the virtual participants. He praised the collaborative efforts that contributed to the conference’s success.
Mr. Shinji Shimoji, Chairman of APAN, during the event, provided insights into the organization’s history and its future objectives. He underscored APAN’s critical role in linking research and educational institutions globally, thereby fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among the community of researchers and technical experts.
Ms. Aisha Moriani, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to leveraging information technology for socio-economic development. She emphasized the potential benefits of such initiatives for Pakistan’s burgeoning young population.
Dr. Jamil Ahmad, Member of IT at HEC and Chair of the local organizing committee, lauded the active engagement of attendees from across the globe. He noted that the conference’s program included a diverse array of sessions, which were well-received by the participants.
Furthermore, Mr. Alex S. De Moura, a senior network engineer and expert in science engagement from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia, shared his expertise on the pivotal role of data-sharing and artificial intelligence. He provided a detailed presentation on how KAUST is driving sustainable change in the region through AI and data utilization, concluding that “In this modern age, data is the most powerful weapon to serve humankind.”
The APAN-58 conference has been instrumental in promoting collaboration, sharing valuable knowledge, and advancing the field of advanced networking within the Asia-Pacific region. It is noteworthy that Pakistan had previously hosted the 51st meeting of APAN virtually in 2021.