Feature image caption: (from the left) Prof. Saiful Islam (BUET), Prof. Ishtiaque Ahmed (BUET), Noriatsu Kudo (Keio), Prof. A. B. M. Badruzzaman (BUET), Achmad Husni Thamrin (SOI Asia), Marcos Sadao Maekawa, Prof. Hossen Asiful Mustafa (BUET)
The delegation — Noriatsu Kudo (Keio University), Achmad Husni Thamrin (SOI Asia) and Marcos Sadao Maekawa (APNIC Foundation) — held a courtesy meeting with BUET Vice-Chancellor Dr. A. B. M. Badruzzaman, during which they formally invited him to the SOI Asia 30th Anniversary Ceremony, to be held at Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) in September 2026. A particularly meaningful moment was realizing that Dr. Badruzzaman had authored the original proposal for the first SOI Asia antenna installed at BUET in 2004.
The delegation was warmly welcomed by ICCT Director Hossen Asiful Mustafa, Prof. Md. Saiful Islam, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering Prof. Ishtiaque Ahmed, and colleagues. During the visit, SOI Asia shared updates on ongoing initiatives, including the APIE program, Inxignia digital badges, as well as EBA project and CBR activities.
APIE program lead Noriatsu Kudo (standing on the back) explained about SOI Asia activities.
Around ten BUET students also joined the session to learn more about learning and engagement opportunities within the SOI Asia community, with several of them already having participated in APIE.
BUET students have consistently demonstrated strong engagement in SOI Asia activities over the years. Looking ahead, SOI Asia hopes to further strengthen this collaboration — not only through student mobility, but also by exploring BUET’s leadership in community-based research initiatives and the potential hosting of future APIE Camps.
On 31 January, APIE Core Course Batch 8 officially kicked off with its first e-Workshop, bringing together more than 390 participants from 18 universities across 9 economies — Bangladesh, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
The session was hosted by Keiko Okawa, Director of SOI Asia, and supported by 12 teaching assistants, all APIE alumni, alongside the SOI Asia and APNIC Foundation teams. The workshop invited participants to reflect on their own Internet environments — from connection speed and latency to physical and technical conditions — setting the tone for the course ahead.
* Feature image caption: (from the left) Gingerlei Porter (UH), Alana Kanahele (UH), Umerang Imetengel (UH), Keiko Okawa (Keio), Christina Higa (UH), Riho Suzuki (Keio), Eliko Akashi (Keio), Marcos Sadao Maekawa (APNIC Foundation)
In January 2026, SOI Asia held a series of meetings in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, marking an important step forward in shaping a shared Pacific engagement following the commitment agreed at the 60th SOI Asia Meeting in Bangkok in October 2025. The meetings brought together the SOI Asia team, colleagues from the University of Hawaiʻi, and technical partners from ARENA-PAC.
The program began with a one-day meeting with the ARENA-PAC team, SOI Asia’s technical infrastructure partner, to align perspectives on regional connectivity developments led by the WIDE Project. This was followed by a two-day working meeting at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where SOI Asia and the UH team shared recent activities, experiences, and ongoing engagements across the Pacific.
A key focus of the discussions was identifying priority directions for 2026, with an eye toward the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM 11) to be held in Japan in 2027. The teams discussed potential target islands and priority domains for collaboration, including disaster management and weather-related challenges, medical and health care, cultural preservation, cybersecurity, and digital literacy.
Led by Prof. Christina Higa (on the left), the UH team shares their projects and initiatives.
These conversations helped clarify a shared direction for the years ahead and reaffirmed the long-term vision guiding SOI Asia’s Pacific engagement: a connected and resilient Pacific, where research, education, innovation, culture, health, inclusion, and technology empower communities to thrive in harmony with their environment. Building on the Honolulu meetings, SOI Asia and the University of Hawaiʻi Telecommunication and Social Informatics (TASI) Research Program of the Social Science Research Institute agreed to work together over the coming decade to gradually build foundations, pilot collaborative activities, and strengthen human and institutional capacity across the region.
Gingerlei Porter (on the left) shows a device created for transmission of tsunami alerts to SOI Asia director Keiko Okawa.
This evolving collaboration is supported by the broader SOI Asia community, whose collective experience and partnerships continue to shape the initiative. Further updates will be shared as discussions progress and activities take form.
On January 14, the APIE Advisory and Curriculum Committees met to review progress and discuss the next phase of the APIE program.
The discussion reflected how the program continues to mature — from stronger regional collaborations and community-based activities, to the growing importance of APIE alumni who return in different roles, including as teaching assistants and NOC team members, supporting learners and sustaining learning environments.
Looking ahead, committee members exchanged views on assessment approaches, internship programs, alumni engagement, and the newly proposed model for APIE Camps. Topics included trainer training, minimum infrastructure requirements, and alignment with host university academic calendars.
The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to step back from delivery and focus on how APIE can scale thoughtfully, while preserving quality, international collaboration, and long-term impact across the Asia-Pacific.
On January 13, 2026, the Asia Pacific Internet Engineering (APIE) program held an online information and onboarding session as part of the preparations for APIE Core Course Batch 08. The session was designed to support students who have already registered, as well as those considering participation, by helping them prepare for the start of the course.
This session was the first of two information sessions scheduled ahead of Batch 08, reflecting an effort to provide additional guidance and clarity before the course begins.
The session was opened by SOI Asia Director Keiko Okawa, who welcomed participants and introduced the objectives and overall structure of the APIE Core Course. More than 40 students joined the session, representing partner universities across Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. This batch also marks the first time students from Laos are joining the APIE program, further broadening the regional participation of the course.
A key focus of the session was onboarding and readiness. The APIE team walked participants through the main platforms and tools used throughout the course, including:
SOI Asia account, mainly used for managing digital badges
FutureLearn account, where the core course content is delivered
Google Classroom account, used for accessing course materials and managing attendance
Keiko also explained the course structure, schedule, and learning flow, with particular attention to time zone differences across the region. The session concluded with a short Q&A, addressing questions from participants related mainly to scheduling and participation.
Celebrating the first APIE info session
The meeting closed with a group photo, marking an early moment of connection among participants as they prepare to begin the Batch 08 learning journey. The next session featuring the same content will be held on January 19, 2026.
On July 28, SOI Asia officially launched the online course Participating in the Internet on FutureLearn, a global platform for open online learning. This marks the third course in the SOI Asia Online series, following the release of Understanding the Internet and Operating the Internet.
Designed as a self-paced course, Participating in the Internet introduces the evolving field of Internet governance, with a focus on how diverse communities and stakeholders shape the rules and operations of the global Internet.
The course is ideal for anyone interested in how the Internet community operates and influences society, and it does not require any technical background—though it also offers insights valuable to professionals in policy, engineering, civil society, and international development.
Navigators Mariko Kobayashi (WIDE Project, on the left) and Korry Luke (Keio University).
Over the course of three weeks, participants will explore:
The basics of Internet history and infrastructure
Internet resource management and community roles
The concept of the multi-stakeholder model in Internet governance
How to get involved in global Internet forums and initiatives
The course was produced by a dedicated SOI Asia team at Keio University, in collaboration with the WIDE Project, APNIC, AITAC, and other key stakeholders in the Internet ecosystem, with support from the APNIC Foundation. It is part of a broader effort to build capacity in the Asia Pacific region and beyond by encouraging the next generation of Internet users and professionals to take an active role in shaping a secure, inclusive, and sustainable Internet.
Interview with Joyce Chen (on the left), from APNIC.Navigators and Jun Murai (on the right) at Keio University.
To further promote the course and foster dialogue around youth engagement in Internet governance, SOI Asia is hosting a dedicated panel session on 29 July at APAN 60 in Hong Kong. The session will provide an overview of ongoing efforts by global and regional bodies to involve younger generations in the design, governance, and future development of the Internet.
The signing ceremony took place on 22 July 2025 at VNNIC Headquarters in Hanoi, with Professor Keiko Okawa (Keio) joining remotely. Attendees included Nguyen Hong Thang (Director General, VNNIC), Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy (Director, VNNIC), Noriatsu Kudo (Keio/APIE), Marcos Sadao Maekawa (APNIC Foundation), and Sunny Chendi (APNIC).
From the left: Prof. Keiko Okawa (on screen), Nguyen Hong Thang, Noriatsu Kudo, Marcos Sadao Maekawa, Sunny Chendi and Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy.
Over the past year, VNNIC and SOI Asia have jointly organized APIE online learning activities for Vietnamese students, with nearly 100 participants. In addition, several students joined APIE Camps in Indonesia and Japan, gaining hands-on exposure to Internet technologies and global academic environments.
Under this new MoU, VNNIC will serve as a local hub for APIE in Vietnam—supporting workshops, student engagement, and preparation for hosting an APIE Camp in 2026. The three-year agreement sets the stage for expanded cooperation in Internet education and digital development in Vietnam and the Asia Pacific region.
From June 23 to 25, SOI Asia delegation formed by Achmad Husni Thamrin and Noriatsu Kudo (Keio University), and Marcos Sadao Maekawa (APNIC Foundation) visited Timor Leste to deepen collaboration with partners in academia and infrastructure. The trip had three key objectives: signing the agreement for CBR3 (a community-based research project focused on IoT for water source management), facilitating the APIE Kick-start Workshop with students from the National University of Timor-Leste (UNTL), and exploring the future of the country’s national research and education network (NREN) with the National Authority of Communications (ANC).
Signing the CBR3 Agreement with UNTL
On June 24, SOI Asia and UNTL formalized their partnership in the CBR3 initiative—a project that uses IoT technologies to monitor water sources. This collaboration reflects a mutual commitment to digital transformation, sustainable development, and local capacity building.
During the signing ceremony, the Rector of UNTL expressed strong interest in future projects related to water preservation. The SOI Asia team introduced the broader CBR (Community-based research) initiative and discussed its alignment with the university’s long-term goals.
Kick-starting APIE with Local Students
Also on June 24, the team led the first APIE Kick-start Workshop at UNTL’s Hera Campus. Nearly 30 engineering students participated in the session, which introduced them to the APIE learning pathway and provided a hands-on start with SOI Asia’s Identity Provider (IdP), Inxignia, and the FutureLearn course Understanding the Internet.
Despite network challenges on campus, the students showed motivation and curiosity, receiving their first APIE certificates and badges. The workshop concluded with group photos and final remarks. Follow-up activities are planned as the students begin the Core Course in August, aiming to join the next APIE Camp in early 2026.
Building Momentum with the National Authority of Communications
On June 25, the delegation met with the National Communications Authority (ANC) to discuss the development of Timor Leste’s national research and education network, TLREN. ANC Chairman Flávio Cardoso Neves and Director José Lay emphasized their long-standing commitment to improving education connectivity.
The discussion covered potential collaboration with ARENA-PAC. ANC expressed strong interest in working with SOI Asia to strengthen research and education infrastructure nationwide, beginning with a few institutions and expanding gradually.
Looking Ahead
The visit analyzed the readiness of institutions in Timor Leste to engage in regional initiatives and develop local capacity in digital education and research. With the upcoming introduction of alternative options for Internet connectivity and follow-up activities, SOI Asia looks forward to continued collaboration in the economy.
On 13 May 2025, SOI Asia Director Professor Keiko Okawa, Dr. Achmad Husni Thamrin and Dr. Eliko Akashi, and APNIC Foundation Project Officer Dr. Marcos Sadao Maekawa visited the National University of Laos (NUOL) in Vientiane. The primary aim of the visit was to renew and strengthen the long-standing partnership between Keio University and NUOL, which dates back to the early 2000s.
Reconnecting with the NUOL Community
Reunion with former SOI Asia intern Dr. Pathoumvanh (on the left).SOI Asia director Keiko Okawa shares SOI Asia updates witt NUOL faculty members.
The morning session began with a warm reunion with former SOI Asia interns who are now key academic leaders at NUOL—Dr. Khamphao Sisaat, Head of the Research and Academic Services Division, and Dr. Somsanouk Pathoumvanh, Head of the Lao-Japan Technical Training Center. Both had participated in SOI Asia’s operator training internship program at Keio SFC over two decades ago.
The delegation also learned about the current state of network infrastructure in Laos. While satellite connectivity options like Starlink are not yet available, NUOL is connected via land-based infrastructure—mainly through Thailand—which provides a solid foundation for future collaboration. Improving bandwidth was highlighted as a priority for enabling participation in SOI Asia’s online programs, as well as for supporting future collaborative research initiatives. The team also visited the former SOI Asia antenna, which still remains on campus, and toured the NUOL-Japan Center established by JICA for IT and network training.
Okawa receives institutional plaque gift from NUOL’s vice-president, Prof. Kyophikavong.
Later in the day, the delegation visited NUOL’s main campus to meet with Vice President Prof. Dr. Phouphet Kyophilavong, who recently took on a leadership role to strengthen NUOL’s IT strategy. With a Ph.D. from Osaka University and experience at Kobe University, Prof. Kyophilavong shared the Lao government’s current direction of promoting digital technologies as a driver for national economic development, transitioning from a traditional focus on agriculture and manufacturing.
During the meeting, SOI Asia representatives reaffirmed the importance of renewing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Keio University and NUOL to enable student and faculty participation in ongoing and future programs. The session was also attended by representatives from the university’s International Affairs Office, IT Center, and Faculty of Engineering.
Looking Ahead
The visit is expected to accelerate the formalization of a new MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) between Keio University and NUOL, which is already in progress. Once renewed, the agreement is anticipated to open new opportunities for collaboration, including participation of Lao students in programs such as APIE and EBA, and involvement of faculty members in regional research and education initiatives.
SOI Asia team meet the Lao national coordinator for Switch! Project, Mr. Souvannavong (in the center).
After the visit to NUOL, the team also met with Mr. Saysomvang Souvannavong, the National Coordinator of the APNIC Foundation’s SWITCH! program in Laos. Mr. Souvannavong shared an overview of the local Internet landscape and his multi-faceted role in key national initiatives, including LANIC and LANOG. The discussion highlighted opportunities for SOI Asia to support capacity development efforts in the country and provided valuable insights into how SOI Asia’s mission can align with and contribute to Laos’ national Internet development priorities.
The sub-project of SOI Asia called the Digital Humanities Asia/And Science Hub (DHASH) team held an in-person meeting on the 5th of March 2025 at Hiyoshi Raiosh. This was a preliminary meeting ahead of the 59th SOI Asia meeting, which occurred from the 6th to the 8th of March.
The DHASH project is a collaboration project from four universities, respectively from Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK) in Indonesia, Preserving Aceh’s Royal Legacy: A Mixed Reality Digital Archive of Aceh’s Historic Tombstones; Universitas Brawijaya (UB) in Indonesia, 3D Documentation of Malang’s Ancient Temples; Tribhuvan University (TU) in Nepal, Preserving Traditional Nepali Instruments into VST Plugins: The Sound of Sarangi and Keio University in Japan, developing interactive and informative digital archives using Voyager [1] and Omeka [2] for the mentioned cultural heritage.
The team members from Indonesia and Nepal flew into Tokyo the previous day. On the 5th, the team engaged in fruitful and productive discussions about project updates at each site, lessons learned, and future directions.
The DHASH project aims to build an Open Science Infrastructure (OSI) tailored to support the digital humanities movement within the Asia-Pacific region. This initiative goes beyond establishing reliable infrastructural services; it’s about nurturing a community-driven framework that integrates open principles into research methodology and knowledge dissemination. To build a resilient society, we are committed to making scholarly resources more accessible, thereby expanding Internet access to humanities resources, especially in the cultural heritage domains. This will help remove barriers, enabling researchers and the public to engage with the cultural heritage of the Asia-Pacific region through digital archives and exhibits.
During the meeting, each site presented their projects and provided updates on activities since the last report in December of the previous year. Members actively engaged in discussions after each presentation, sharing their challenges and solutions. After a lunch break, Dr. Goki Miyakita, the DHASH project lead, led a workshop introducing the software Voyager, which is used in creating digital archives for the project. The workshop demonstrated how to use Voyager and discussed its advantages in digital archiving.
The meeting then continued in a discussion format, where significant questions were raised: From a community perspective, what are the goals of data sharing? What are the community’s expectations? What is the most significant takeaway from engaging in and conducting this project? These questions are crucial as they help us understand the local community’s perspective and involve them more in the DHASH project, especially since digital humanities in the cultural heritage sector are deeply connected to the community. Without community engagement, there is no culture.
The initial results are promising, but it is vital for us and all project members to remember why we are doing this and the social impact and value the project brings. It’s easy to lose sight of a project’s significance when deeply involved, so focusing on our meaningful goals is crucial. This is also a reminder of our great responsibility in digitising cultural heritage: we are not just providing information but also recreating knowledge and narratives for current and future generations. While aiming to provide comprehensive information, we acknowledge that there are aspects we are still uncovering. As scholars and practitioners, we must recognise our significant responsibilities and admit that there is still much to be done. This project is just the beginning of more significant and impactful research. We, the DHASH team, are eager to see it flourish and attract many more researchers, the public, students, and scholars. We view it as a valuable opportunity for them to develop further and collaborate with us on a larger and more sustainable scale.
The meeting concluded with discussions about future plans, including the need to establish a workable schedule for conducting workshops at various sites and determining the best times for the Keio team to visit and collaborate on these workshops. It was a fruitful meeting, and team members greatly appreciated the opportunity to come together physically and discuss matters in detail. We are very optimistic about the future of the DHASH project.[1] https://smithsonian.github.io/dpo-voyager/introduction/installation/ [2] https://omeka.org/
