Q1: What makes the APIE program unique compared to other initiatives?

The APIE Camp is really interesting and amazing. Its curriculum is very different from other similar programs. Students begin with an online program, where they learn the technologies and terminologies and become more familiar with the content. Then they join the e-workshop, which helps build their confidence and deepen their understanding. Finally, they participate in the five-day onsite camp.

This program is very well-designed. By the time they’re onsite, their teamwork, presence, and understanding are already comparable to engineers working in the industry. It doesn’t feel like we’re teaching people who are new to the field. They’re ready to dive deeper into technology, configuration, and the internet infrastructure itself.

Another unique point is the diversity of instructors — all of them are connected to network operations. They’re not just academics; they come from both universities and the industry. It’s a perfect combination of research, operations, and insights into future technologies.

Also, there’s a sustainable model where participants can become teaching assistants or NOC engineers. This reflects what happens in the real world — after education, people often work under more experienced professionals before taking on responsibilities themselves. This program mimics the real internet world in a miniature form, and I’m truly impressed by that.

Q2: What’s one moment during APIE that made you feel, “This is why we do this”?

Great question. There were several moments, but one that really touched me was after a lecture, when participants worked together in groups. They encountered some trouble, and instead of immediately asking for help, they tried troubleshooting the issue themselves.

They were essentially discovering solutions to problems that were unfamiliar at first. Afterward, when I spoke to a few groups, they said, “I’ve never learned so much hands-on content in any other program.” That was such a rewarding moment. It showed how deeply they could relate their learning to real-world internet operations. I’m sure that experience will push them to continue learning — diving deeper into the topics they’re passionate about and shaping their future careers.

Q3: If you had to describe APIE’s impact in one sentence, what would it be?

That’s a tough one — the impact is so broad! But if I had to, I’d say:
“APIE prepares participants to become future internet and application developers who follow best practices and contribute to a safer, more secure, and accessible internet for global socio-economic development.”