APNIC26 MEETING, CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND: 25 – 29 AUGUST 2008

FELLOWSHIP REPORT (For Pacific Internet Partners, PIP)

Date: 10 September 2008

I would say that 2008 is a year that I will always remember. The year had brought me so many experiences and moments that is and will affect my life and profession in the future. Also, it is only my fourth year in professional workforce after I graduated with a Bachelors degree in Communication Engineering in April of 2005; and life was exciting because I was discovering new knowledge and experiences in the field of information and communication technology (ICT). My receipt of double award to APNIC 26 was the most rewarding highlight of my career this year.

In Papua New Guinea generally, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is still in its infancy; and introduction of any new technology always drive people crazy; which internet is one of them.

While observing this trend, I decided to explore more about internet technology, so that I could advise appropriately as a technical member of the community about the benefits and opportunities that internet can offer.

Gradually, I grasped the technical knowledge of Internet technologies and internetworking. I worked in academic institutions, school libraries, training centers, and involved in ICT consulting work as an IT professional; but the birth, evolution and existence of internet still remained a fascinating discovery for me. And that is the driving factor behind me to involve and participate in various internet organizations like APNIC, ICANN and ISOC, to know more.

The Pacific Islands Chapter of Internet Society (PICISOC) mailing list is an invaluable medium of networking, communication and information, which guided my brain to look beyond and think outside the walls. It is thru PICISOC that I learned about the above organizations.

I attended ICANN meeting in New Delhi early this year; and the IPv6 Workshop and Internet Resource Management Essentials (IRME) training in Port Moresby. The instructor, Mr. Cecil Goldstein of APNIC encouraged the course attendees to apply for the APNIC 26 fellowship, so I applied and got it.

But that was not all; I also applied for PIP (Pacific Internet Partners) Travel funding assistance and I was lucky to be one of the three candidates chosen. Many thanks to Don Hollander and Pacific Internet Partners.

PIP Funding really subsidized my travel and attendance to APNIC 26 meeting, as my organization was sending a staff down there, it could hardly consider my request as genuine. I am so grateful that I learned so many new things and met many new people who were professionals in ICT.

All in all, it was a gain for my organization and country, and I would like to assure you that I will utilize the experiences and knowledge gained for its course.

My main interest to follow APNIC trainings and meetings is IPv6. Thus, I was able to fully grasp the deployment nature of IPv6 at APNIC 26, as I have sound technical knowledge on the subject from earlier training in Port Moresby.

I have been actively involving in various ICT organizations, discussions, trainings, awareness and policy meetings just before I went to Christchurch; so undoubtedly this experience will help push for another yard in ICT development in my country.

Just a week later from my return, I did an informative presentation to the staff in my section, generally on the nature of APNIC meetings and its roles in addressing as well as acknowledging the sponsors of other supporting organizations like PIP.

Here at Unitech, we are preparing to give a go at IPv6 testing and planning necessary upgrade options. The knowledge from IPv6 workshop and APNIC meeting is and will be very helpful in the course of this action.

Since we are managing .pg, our plan to deploy IPv6 may prompt others (.pg users) to think the same way. The exposure and interaction with professionals from different specializations have given me extra power in my confidence and level of understanding, to deliver on a higher scale and impact wider community.

I am currently in charge of training coordination and material development therefore the knowledge gained from this program will obviously be included as a training module. We educate and train people with various backgrounds from all over Papua New Guinea in ICT best practices and, I am sure the experiences and knowledge from this program will be educational and informative.

But the most practical contribution would be to the technical staff of Unitech to plan and prepare for IPv6 deployment. Also, thru my consultancy with private firms and provision of advice to the respective ICT bodies which I am a member. Policy related issues and discussions will be made known to the Department of Communication and Information secretary as I deal frequently with him (the secretary) in ICT policy planning and development. One would appreciate this nature of disseminations as a collective return to the home country.

To conclude, the financial assistance from PIP was timely and it has been a real boost for me professionally, and for my organization’s service delivery and human resource development of the country.

I will be happy and willing to collaborate and participate in any project or program with PIP in the future. Keep up your good efforts and we’ll continue to develop Pacific Islands thru ICT.

I look forward to seeing you again soon. Thank you!

STANLEY OSAO

APNIC Fellow & PIP Funding Recipient, Papua New Guinea