APAN59

The NREN Leaders Forum was launched at APAN as a platform for NREN leaders to connect, share insights, and shape the future of research and education in the APAC region. Held twice a year at APAN meetings, the REN Leaders Forum brings together C-level executives and decision-makers from NRENs for strategic discussions.

The REN Leaders Forum has shown the transformative power of a shared vision and mutual support through collaborative initiatives in the last three iterations. As it continues to grow, the REN Leaders Forum is poised to shape the future of NRENs by addressing emerging challenges, fostering inclusivity, and enabling sustainable development. By uniting leaders and stakeholders in a common mission, the REN Leaders Forum remains a vital platform for creating a more connected and innovative future for research and education across the Asia-Pacific region. This time, in two sessions, we will have discussions within the APAC region and with the other regional NRENs.

Please refer to the agenda below,
Date - 5th March 2025
Mode - Hybrid
Session Moderators / Speakers - Prof Roshan Ragel & Dr Asitha Bandaranayake


1.30 to 1.35 - Welcome & Introduction [Roshan Ragel, Chair, SIG]
1.35 to 1.55 -Polar Connect: Strengthening Digital Autonomy [Valter Nordh, CEO, NORDUnet]
1.55 to 2.35 - Panel Discussion: Opportunities and Challenges in the Polar Connect Project [Valter Nordh : Chief Executive Officer at NORDUnet, Francis Lee : President of SingAREN & Shigeo Urushidani : Deputy Director General/Professor at National Institute of Informatics, Japan]
2.35 to 2.45 - Q & A
2.45 to 3.00 - Inspera - The new age of Digital Assessment [Kim Waldgrave]
3.00 to 3.30 - Break3.30 to 4.20 - AI and HPC in APAN [Asitha Bandaranayake, AI&HPC WG Chair]
4.20 to 4.40 - AI and HPC in APAN Discussion
4.40 to 4.50 - NREN Leaders Declaration of AI and HPC Collaboration in APAN
4.50 to 5.00 - Closing remarks [Roshan Ragel, Chair, SIG]