APIE Camp #06 in UB (Indonesia) in a glance
From February 10-14, the 6th edition of APIE (Asia Pacific Internet Exchange) Camp took place at Universitas Brawijaya (UB) in Malang, Indonesia. Co-organized by UB and SOI Asia, the camp brought together 24 students from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Japan, Myanmar, Nepal, and the Philippines at FILKOM UB’s Algoritma Auditorium.
This year’s camp continued its tradition of fostering collaboration, technical growth, and diversity. Participants didn’t just gain technical knowledge—they built meaningful connections, tackled real-world challenges, and got a clearer sense of where they want to go in their careers. It also brought some new content to the regular program schedule: a special session about optical networking and the event Meet the Internet Engineers (see below).
Hands-On Learning and Expert Mentorship
Throughout the week, students worked closely with trainers and mentors from APNIC, AWS, UB, and Keio University. Sessions were a mix of deep-dive technical discussions, hands-on practice, and informal mentorship, ensuring participants learned in a way that felt both structured and engaging.
The event was led by Achmad ‘Abazh’ Basuki and a dedicated team at UB, supported by local students, faculty members, and former APIE Camp participants. Teaching assistants (TAs), logistics teams, and hospitality staff—many of whom were past camp participants—played a crucial role in ensuring a smooth and productive experience. SOI Asia’s administrative team at Keio University also provided vital administrative and logistical support for the organizers and participants.
Alumni in Action
For the second time, APIE Camp featured a Network Operations Center (NOC) team composed of APIE alumni. Their role went beyond just setting up and maintaining the camp’s IT infrastructure—they were essential in making sure network configurations and activities ran smoothly. Their contributions didn’t stop there; they also held their own sessions with lectures and hands-on activities and provided valuable feedback and support to other lecturers, particularly during the DNS training sessions.
Teaching assistants (TAs) also played a significant role in supporting students before and during the camp. As former participants themselves, they used their experience to ensure a smooth learning process, helping guide students through complex technical exercises and providing peer support when needed.
Having a team of alumni step up in these capacities showed how APIE Camp is not just about learning in the moment, but also about building a community of experts who continue to give back.
Opening Session and Curriculum Highlights
Prof. Basuki (UB) started the first session providing context on the program’s evolution and introduced some of the results from the cooperation among SOI Asia partners, such as the collaboration with ARENA-PAC. The introduction was followed by warm and insightful remarks from Prof. Keiko Okawa, director of SOI Asia, who emphasized the importance of communication and embracing failure as part of growth. Prof. Wayan Firdaus Mahmudy, Dean of UB’s Faculty of Computer Science, highlighted the significance of global collaboration and nurturing new talents in this field.
A key focus of APIE Camp remains the design and deployment of campus networks. Participants worked with IPv4 and IPv6 from AI3 (Asian Internet Interconnection Initiatives) to configure routers and DNS servers. They also implemented an overlay network using VPN technology, extending connectivity to SOI Asia partner universities. This practical experience wasn’t just about learning configurations—it was about understanding the backbone of real-world network operations.The 5-day curriculum covered:
- Day 1: Network design and deployment, optical network session
- Day 2: Server installation, virtualization, cybersecurity, and a site visit to UB’s data center
- Day 3: DNS setup
- Day 4: Cloud computing (AWS), IoT, and the Meet the Engineers event
- Day 5: Interim presentation and a site visit to neuCentrIX Malang
Check out our photo gallery for highlights from this edition!
Day 1 – Network design and deployment, optical network session
Day 2 – Server installation, virtualization, cybersecurity, and a site visit to UB’s data center
Day 3 – DNS setup
Day 4 – Cloud computing (AWS) and IoT
Day 5 – Interim presentation and a site visit to neuCentrIX Malang
Closing Ceremony and Certificates
Celebrating Women in Technology
Despite the gender gap in STEM fields, APIE Camp welcomed 10 female participants, reinforcing SOI Asia’s ongoing efforts to promote women’s participation in technology. Seeing more women actively engaged in APIE activities signals a positive shift toward greater inclusivity in the field.
Meet the Internet Engineers: Connecting Students with Experts
For the first time at APIE Camp, participants took part in Meet the Internet Engineers, a casual coffee meetup where students had the chance to engage directly with seven internet network specialists and members of the NOC team. All 24 camp participants, 6 teaching assistants, and around 30 UB students attended the event, asking questions about career paths, industry trends, and what it takes to build a future in internet engineering. This initiative, which debuted at the AI3 and SOI Asia Joint Meeting hosted by the University of San Carlos (USC) in June 2024, continues to provide valuable industry insights to students exploring this field.
Looking Ahead
The 6th APIE Camp reaffirmed its role as a platform for technical learning, collaboration, and professional growth. But their journey is not complete yet. All groups will keep on developing their projects toward the final presentation on March 13 (students and staff only).
As participants returned to their respective universities, they carried with them not just technical skills, but also a sense of belonging to a growing community of internet engineers.
Stay tuned for updates on the next APIE Camp!
