An open letter to future APNIC Fellows from a 2025 Fellow

Rabby (Sajidur) with APNIC Chief Scientist, Geoff Huston.

Dear future APNIC Fellows,

Applying for this fellowship can feel intimidating, especially if it's your first time travelling abroad, or if you're a young professional without much exposure to international community events. I know exactly how that feels, because I was there too.

When I received the email confirming my selection as a 2025 APNIC Fellow, I knew it would be a valuable technical experience. What I didn't expect was how deeply it would reshape the way I view collaboration, mentorship, and the larger Internet operations community across the Asia Pacific.

The fellowship brought together early and mid-career professionals working on Internet operations, routing, security, and infrastructure. It combined months of structured online learning with an in-person workshop and the APNIC 60conference, held in Da Nang, Viet Nam, from 4 to 11 September 2025.

Learning from the best: Deep dives into network management and security

As part of the Network Management & Security track, our four-day workshop was led by Shane Hermoso and Awal Haolader, whose training style balanced practical application with a deep understanding of real-world operational challenges. Every topic, from hands-on sessions on proactive monitoring and fault management to engaging discussions on network automation and incident response, was anchored in scenarios that network operators face daily.

Every participant could relate the lessons to their own environments, from large Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to university networks to financial institutions like the one I work for. It was a great reminder that while our infrastructure may differ, the core challenges of reliability, visibility, and security are shared.

Learning from the pioneers at the conference

Each conference speaker brought a wealth of experience and vision that broadened how I look at the Internet and network operations. Listening to and exchanging thoughts with these industry leaders was a highlight for all of us Fellows.

Geoff Huston broke down the inner workings of QUIC to reveal how the protocol reshapes Internet transport for speed and security. Paresh Khatri's session on Q-Day and Post-Quantum Cryptography was a stark reminder of how quantum computing could redefine the security landscape and why preparation must start now.

From Awal Haolader, I learned about the power of Salt automation in streamlining network management, while Champika Wijayatunga's talk on KINDNS highlighted the critical importance of DNS security and operational best practices. Rounding out the experience, A. S. M. Shamim Reza's ZEEK tutorial provided hands-on insights into network visibility and threat detection in real-world scenarios.

The human network: Lessons from the Fellows

Beyond the technical sessions, the community of talented, motivated Fellows from across the Asia Pacific made every break, dinner, and hallway conversation a learning opportunity.

I had the privilege of spending time with Aung Thu Min (Austin) and Khin Htet Htet Tun from Myanmar, both Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) engineers. Listening to their stories about balancing full-time jobs with relentless study schedules to prepare for seemingly endless labs reminded me that the CCIE is as much a test of mindset and resilience as it is of technical expertise. Their openness and encouragement gave me the motivation I needed to start preparing to attempt the CCIE certification myself.

Joyeeta Sen Rimpee - another Fellow from Bangladesh - generously shared her knowledge of how DNS infrastructure works, the challenges involved, and the complexities of maintaining secure and resilient systems in the government sector.

Charuka Damunupola from Sri Lanka's national Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) opened my eyes to national-level cybersecurity operations. His presentation on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) spam and keyword hacks showcased how CERTs play a vital role in keeping the global Internet secure.

And finally, Harris Chen, a solicitor from Hong Kong, brought a completely different perspective, bridging law and cybersecurity. His passion for understanding the technical side of his cases showed how diverse and interdisciplinary the Internet ecosystem truly is.

Shared knowledge, open standards, and generosity

Looking back, being a 2025 APNIC Fellow was more than a professional milestone that strengthened my technical understanding. The experience also reminded me that the Internet is a true community effort, built on shared knowledge, open standards, and the generosity of those willing to help build safer, better networks.

My advice to you, future Fellow - make the most of every day in the APNIC fellowship program. Spend time with your peer Fellows, learn from each other, and take advantage of every opportunity the fellowship offers. By the time it is over, you'll have only one regret: That the fellowship couldn't last longer.

Sajidur Rahman Rabby is a Network & Security Administrator in one of the leading banks in Bangladesh and a 2025 APNIC Fellow. He is passionate about building secure networks, community collaboration and continuous learning within the APNIC network operator ecosystem.

The views expressed by the authors of this blog are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of APNIC. Please note a Code of Conduct applies to this blog.