A Milestone Event Advancing Digital Collaboration in the Asia-Pacific

The Internet Education and Research Laboratory (intERLab) at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) successfully hosted the 60th SOI Asia Meeting, a hybrid event held from October 20–22, 2025. The gathering served as a vital forum for digital learning, research collaboration, and community-driven innovation, welcoming participants from 15 countries across the Asia-Pacific.

This 60th meeting marked a significant milestone in the long-standing AIT-SOI Asia partnership. Established in 1996 with Keio University (Japan), the SOI Asia community now connects 30 partner institutions across 15 economies. AIT has played a central role throughout this history, having hosted several early meetings in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The meeting’s return to AIT in 2025 reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to fostering open, inclusive, and sustainable digital development in the region. The event welcomed 73 participants onsite (with additional members joining online) from across the Asia-Pacific.

Celebrating 20 Years of AIT-SOI Asia Collaboration

The meeting opened with remarks from Prof. Pai-Chi Li, President of AIT, and Prof. Keiko Okawa, Director of SOI Asia, reflecting on two decades of collaboration in knowledge co-creation, digital learning, and international cooperation. A symbolic token exchange ceremony highlighted the strength of the partnership and the continued commitment of both institutions.

Key Insights, Research Presentations, and Regional Digital Initiatives
Throughout the meeting, participants engaged in a rich program that explored emerging technologies, digital education, community-based research, and the future of regional collaboration.

Innovative Research and Keynote Addresses
Associate Prof. Panjai Tantatsanawong (Silpakorn University) presented a pioneering IoT sensor network for forest fire detection in northern Thailand, integrating PM 2.5 sensors, cameras, machine learning, and community engagement.

In another keynote, Jun Murai (Keio University) often referred to as the “Father of the Internet in Japan” shared insights on the future of Internet connectivity, ethical AI development, and the importance of stable, long-term funding to support digital infrastructures across Asia. He also highlighted the Arterial Research and Educational Network in the Asia Pacific (AREANA-PAC) project, which links advanced research and education networks across Southeast Asia.

Building Skills and Digital Infrastructure
Panels on the Asia Pacific Internet Education (APIE) Program showcased efforts to train young network engineers through hands-on learning across the region, while discussions on digital credentials (INXIGNIA) focused on creating interoperable, verifiable systems that strengthen education-to-employment pathways.

Technical sessions on AREANA-PAC and Google Cloud explored cloud-based resource sharing for research and education, emphasizing digital preservation, student engagement, and the integration of AI/ML capabilities across institutions.

Cultural Heritage, Environment, and Community Engagement
The Digital Humanities Asia/And Science Hub (DHASH) project demonstrated how 3D technologies can preserve cultural heritage across Asia, featuring drone mapping of temples in Indonesia and the digitization of Nepal’s sarangi instrument.

The Evidence Based Approach (EBA) initiative reflected five years of experiential learning, highlighting fieldwork and community-based projects in Kalimantan, Aceh, and Minamata.

Another key focus was the Community-Based Research (CRB) presentations. Students introduced solutions such as an Electric Vehicle charging map and an AI-enhanced water purification system using Moringa seeds. Panelists stressed sustainability, stakeholder engagement, and clear pathways for real-world deployment.

Across all sessions, participants emphasized collaboration, ethical practices, interdisciplinary work, and long-term community impact core values that have guided SOI Asia since its inception.

Looking Ahead: SOI Asia 30th Anniversary in 2026
The meeting concluded with forward-looking discussions on the upcoming SOI Asia 30th Anniversary Meeting, scheduled for 31 August – 2 September 2026 at Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Indonesia. The event aims to discuss new strategies to strengthen regional cooperation in digital education, research, and innovation.

The successful hosting of the 60th SOI Asia Meeting reflects intERLab’s leadership in cultivating regional networks that advance digital learning, research collaboration, and sustainable development. By bringing together partners from across the Asia-Pacific, AIT and SOI Asia continue to drive meaningful progress toward a more resilient and connected future.

Catch the highlights and key moments from the 60th SOI Asia Meeting in this video recap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ51aIK1Yq8