The Nepal Weekly 
March 14, 2023
Research and education have become ever more collaborative, cross-institutional, and international. They depend on advanced, high-quality and high-performance networks to reach collaborators, teachers, students, as well as access to key research infrastructure. The current pandemic situation has further demonstrated the immense value of networks to support research, education, and societies as they maintain connectivity and communication across cities, nations, and continents.
The 55th Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN55) has been commenced from March 13-17, 2023 at the Kathmandu Marriott Hotel in Kathmandu, Nepal. Nepal Research and Education Network (NREN), a member of APAN is hosting the event.
Minister for Information and Communication Rekha Sharma is scheduled to formally inaugurate the international conference on Tuesday.
The 5 day conference features workshops, tutorials, presentations, and lightning talks on advanced network technologies and applications. This meeting is to bring together researchers, scientists, policymakers, network professionals, telehealth practitioners, and experts from various fields in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
The APAN55 conference offers option for online participation for those unable to travel to Kathmandu to present in person. NREN says that a significant number of attendees from the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, both in-person and online.
The members of APAN have been delivering the National Research and Education (NREN) services to their member institutions for many years, and continually evolve to support the explosion in research and education demands. APAN focuses on actual researchers, educators, and technical support staff, bringing together those who need networks with those who build them.
Representing IT related institutions and academia, some 330 participants from 25 countries will be participating in the conference while around 200 individuals from around the world will participate in by virtual media.
The Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN Ltd) is the international partnership of the National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) across the region. It spans over half of the world’s population, and its members are fundamental in the provision of high-speed network connectivity domestically and internationally.
The local organising body Nepal Research and Education Network (NREN) is a non-profit registered under Nepal Government and affiliated with Social Welfare Council. This is a member-based institution working to build nationwide research and education network and aims to reduce research backwardness via the connection with global research and education network. It facilitates dedicated advanced research and education network for the research and education communities of Nepal.
NREN Nepal informed that Nepal Government Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Communication, Information had extended support while Nepal Telecommunication Authority, Nepal Telecom Ltd, Ruijie Networks, APNIC, Internet Society, Asi@Connect, e-Hualu have supported sponsorship. Similarly, WorldLink Communication and Subisu Cablenet are providing bandwidth internet service for the conference.
