REANNZ proud to host APAN46

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Over 300 researchers, academics and technology specialists representing 29 countries from across the Asia Pacific advanced research network are meeting in Auckland this week to look at ways to support research connections across the region and with 120 economies and regions globally.

The meeting is being opened on Monday evening by the Minister of Research, Science and Innovation, the Hon Dr Megan Woods.

Nicole Ferguson, Chief Executive of REANNZ, New Zealand’s national backbone research network, says she’s proud to be hosting APAN (the Asia Pacific Advanced Network) in New Zealand for the first time in 10 years.

“APAN is made up of national research and education networks, comparable to REANNZ, in the Asia Pacific region. They support the research in some of the highest ranked universities, and largest and fast-growing economies in the world including China, India, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam and Australia.”

APAN was established in 1996 as a way to support research connections between universities and research institutes in the Asia Pacific and the USA. Today REANNZ and APAN are part of a global community of 120+ research networks, who work together to enable research collaboration by facilitating massive data flows.

“This APAN meeting is vitally important as these national, regional and international networks are based on common goals, shared protocols and mutual understanding. Together we have the settings to meet the unique demands of the research sector and to transfer huge and often bursty data across borders, protocols and institutions over an ultra-high speed, high performing network.

The meeting is also an opportunity to develop capability in new member countries, to continue to evolve the best networking technology, promote and facilitate research collaboration, and to ensure the network is fit for the future.

“Within New Zealand and globally there is a rapid growth in data-intensive science and research, driven by disciplines including climate research, genomics and radio astronomy and inter-country initiatives, like the government’s $57 million investment towards science cooperation with Singapore.

“In fact, REANNZ is seeing a 61% year-on-year increase in data traffic shared by users with their international research partners.

“Through REANNZ and this global network, Kiwi researchers benefit from what is in effect a private ultra-high speed, high-performance network system, which provides an additional layer of support and security. Our scientists and researchers gain access to a worldwide, multi-billion dollar infrastructure dedicated to the pursuit of science, research and education – they aren’t being disadvantaged by the tyranny of distance or inadequate technology.

Keynote speakers at APAN46 include:

Professor Shigeki Goto, who was inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame last year, has been instrumental in developing APAN. He is a professor with the Computer Science and Engineering Department at Waseda University in Tokyo.

Dr David Lassner, President of the University of Hawaiʻi System, speaking on increasing connectivity across the Pacific.
New Zealand volcanologist Dr Gill Jolly, Director of the Natural Hazards Division at GNS Science, on “Delivering geohazards monitoring and advice for New Zealand and the SW Pacific”.

In addition, there are a number of technical and special subject sessions. The full programme is on the APAN46 website at https://apan.net/meetings/apan46/schedule.php.

BackgroundREANNZ delivers the backbone network that connects New Zealand's research, education and innovation sectors regionally, nationally, as well as globally to other NRENs. REANNZ develops tailored technology services and provides high-performance network services to universities, polytechnics, CRIs and research institutes.