Ms. Kamala ADHIKARI
Asia Pacific - Treasurer, Forum for Digital Equality (Civil Society)
Kamala Adhikari is the Treasurer of Forum for Digital Equality, a Kathmandu based Not-for-Profit organization established in 2008. She has been actively engaged in Internet Governance arena since 2012. She has keen interest and knowledge on internet and social issues, specially child and women protection in cyberspace. She is responsible for the managing Child Safety Portal (www.childsafety.org.np) on behalf of Online Child Safety Initiatives. She has participated various IG related forums like IGF, ICANN, APrIGF, Stockholm Internet Forum etc.
Mr. Suraj ADHIKARI
Nepal - Vice President, Internet Society Nepal (Civil Society)
Mr. Suraj Adhikari from kingdom of Nepal, a Himalayan Nation in South Asia is one of the key operational initiator of web and domain services in Nepal. He has extensively contributed especially to Nepalese Traditional Mass Media to make them online via new internet medium.
In 2000, he initiated, coordinated and promoted almost all major Nepalese publication houses including 100+ years old government owned ‘GORKHAPATRA NATIONAL DAILY’ to largest selling National Daily ‘KANTIPUR DAILY’ to make their online version via a very first news portal of Nepal (www.nepalnews.com) by publishing their paper content in the internet. After this all other daily, weekly, FM Radios and Television stations started to produce and upload their offline content through online.
Prime Minister Mr. KP Sharma Oli awarded Mr Adhikari by a letter of Appreciation for his roles on establishing online systems and volunteering contribution to .np ccTLD registry.
By profession Suraj has joined Mercantile Communications in 1999, a private organization and a very first Internet Service Provider company in Nepal, where he has fulfilled different roles ie. Web Coordinator, .np ccTLD Hostmaster, HOD for Web, domain, and later on Relationship Manager for Software Services.
He involved in .np registry from the foundation days of ccTLD. The .np registry services is totally free from the beginning. Twenty two years long free service is possible by the huge commitment of its volunteering contributors. Technical and other managerial task are running by the same staff of ISP and Web Division. Suraj has played significant role and remains always forefront in this long and tough journey of its day to day operational support.Being free service, .NP itself cannot spend money for capacity building and technological enhancements. But at the same time we cannot be left alone and escape with time and technology change. The best way to learn more about skills, technological upgrading from international colleague is to explore fellowship.
Suraj has completed his academic master’s degree on mass communication in 2004 from Kathmandu based Tribhuvan University with a research paper on ONLINE MEDIUM in Nepal, probably the first thesis paper he has written about Online Medium in Nepal.
Mr. Adhikari participated number of national ICT workshops, conferences, seminars that organized by different organization like Federation of Computer Association Nepal, Internet Society Nepal etc.
He also participated APNIC 40 and successfully completed the APTLD Resilient TLD Operations workshop in Jakarta, sept 2015.
Suraj has also approached, coordinated and convinced .np management for full APTLD membership made that happen after his visit to APNIC 40.
He also participated ICANN 55 in Marrakech, Morocco March 2016 as a speaker for CCNSO session.
He also participated in APTLD70 (15-16 September 2016) Members Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand.
Suraj has involved few non for profit social organizations ie working as Treasurer for Internet Society Nepal Chapter. He is also part of Nepal IGF as MSG member and in host organizing team for 2017.
INTERNATIONAL EVENT ATTENDED
1. APNIC 40/APTLD68 Members Meeting , Jakarta, Indonesia 8-9 September 2015
2. ICANN55 Marrakech, Morocco, 5-10 March 2016
3. APICB 2016, Beijing, China
4. APTLD70 Members Meeting in Bangkok, 13-16 September 2016
5. ICANN 60, ABU DHABI, UAE , 28 OCT – 3 NOV 2017
6. APTLD 73, Kathmandu, Nepal, Feb 22-23, APRICOT 2018
7. INET Kathmandu: 17 – 18 March 2016
National Event
8. Nepal IGF August 18-19, 2017, Kathmandu Nepal
9. NP SIG, January 19-20, 2018 Kathmmandu Nepal
Mr. Klée AIKEN
Brisbane, Australia - Senior Advisor - Strategic Engagement & Capacity Building, APNIC (Technical Community)
Klée Aiken is the Senior Advisor – Strategic Engagement & Capacity Building at APNIC, the Regional Internet Registry for the Asia-Pacific. In this role he works to promote APNIC’s vision of a global, open, stable, and secure Internet across the region’s 56 economies as well as internationally. He is also an Advisory Board member of the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE), which works for more informed, complimentary, and impactful cyber capacity building.
Previously he was APNIC’s External Relations Manager and prior to joining the APNIC team he was an analyst with the International Cyber Policy Centre at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) where he researched domestic and regional cyber policy developments. He has also spent several years working in DC, serving stints with the International Technology and Trade Associates and the Atlantic Council.
Mr. Izumi AIZU
Tokyo, Japan - Senior Research Fellow, Institute for InfoSocionomics, Tama University (Civil Society)
Professor and Senior Research Fellow, Institute for InfoSocionomics, Tama University, Tokyo
Researcher, Institute for HyperNetwork Society, Oita, Japan.
Facilitator, Next Mobility Community
Mr. Aizu specializes the study of “Information Society”. He promoted the use of PC based communications in the ’80s and the Internet in the ’90s, participated in the global policy debate on “Internet Governance” and “Information Society” in the ’90s and ’00s with the civil society perspective.
In 1991, he joined the newly established GLOCOM (Center for Global Communications) at the International University of Japan, as Head of Planning, where he gave strategic advises to industry leaders, national and local government agencies, working on policy and strategic issues in global context with strong focus on Asia.
In 1997, he founded Asia Network Research in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, an independent research unit promoting Inter-networking in Asia-Pacific region focusing on societal aspects including global governance and digital divide issues. Between 1998 and 2000, he worked as Secretary General of the Asia & Pacific Internet Association (APIA), representing Internet business community and was involved in the formation process of ICANN (Internet Cooperation for Assigned Names and Numbers). He became active in the global debate of Internet Governance, in United Nation’s World Summit for Information Society (WSIS) and Internet Governance Forum, and Asia Pacific regional Internet Governance Forum (APrIGF).
In 2011, he co-started Information Support Pro Bono Platform (iSPP) to help support the recovery from the East Japan Great Earthquake and Tsunami using ICT. His recent research focus is “next mobility” – physical and digital mobilities combined. Together with a number of colleagues, he started “Next Mobility Community” and organized “Next Mobility Bazar” in 2016 and 2017, and “Next Mobility Expo” in 2018 in Kyoto.
Ms. Nadira AL-ARAJ
Palestine - Independent Researcher, ICANN APRALO (Civil Society)
Nadira Al-Araj is civil society independent researcher. She is an elected treasurer on the Executive Committee for Asia Pacific School of Internet Governance (APSIG). Currently, is on the advisory council of the Public Internet Registry (PIR). She was the vice chair for ISOC Palestine and was elected to the first ISOC Chapters Advisory Council Steering Committee were they set the rules and procedures for the newly established Chapter Advisory Council, they started the discussions of the best practices to have sustainable chapters that influence the Internet Society for a bottom-up approach. During her leadership of ISOC Palestine chapter, she was heavily involved in the governance of the Palestinian Internet Exchange Point. An active member in ICANN APRALO and was one of the 5 regional At-Large delegates to ICANN nominating committee for 2 terms. She is a member of the program committee for ME DNS forum. On the IGF front, she was the coordinator of the workshop track for the 4th Arab IGF 2015 Multistakeholder Advisory Group. She worked with Diplo Foundation on the IGMENA.org project for the Internet Governance Capacity Building. Nadira hold two M.Sc. degrees, one in Computer Science and the other in Information Resources Management from Syracuse University plus 23 years of lecturing experience at Bethlehem University.
Mr. Peng Hwa ANG
Singapore - Professor, Nanyang Technological University (Academia)
Professor Ang Peng Hwa is at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He was President 2016/7 of the International Communication Association, and Chairman of the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre from 2003 to 2012.
His teaching and research interests combine law and communication, touching on internet law and policy, censorship, and the social impact of media. He is the author of Ordering Chaos: Regulating the Internet (Thomson, 2005), and he was appointed by then UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to the 40-strong Working Group on Internet Governance to prepare a report for the 2005 World Summit on the Information Society.
He co-founded the Global Internet Governance Academic Network and the Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum and served as inaugural chairs of both organisations.
Mr. Babu Ram ARYAL
South Asia - Chief Executive Officer, Internet Governance Institute (Civil Society)
Babu Ram Aryal is a practicing lawyer with focus on Telecommunication, Cyber Security, Cyber Crime, Media Laws and Intellectual Property laws and leads Internet Governance Institute (IGI), a not for profit company established for promoting Internet Governance as its Chief Executive Officer. Internet Governance Institute (IGI) is an initiative established for strengthening Internet Governance at the grass root level through research, capacity building, awareness, debates and policy intervention across Asia Pacific. IGI believes in collaboration and operates through the participation of IG related institution.
Ms. Gunela ASTBRINK
Australia - Member, Internet Australia (Civil Society)
Gunela Astbrink has been active in civil society policy for the past 25 years and with Internet governance for the past 10 years. Gunela has organised workshops and participated in national, regional, global IGFs as well as NETmundial and is a member of the APrIGF Multistakeholder Steering Group.
Gunela was the inaugural Australian IGF ambassador (2013) and was on the Board of the Australian ISOC Chapter for 10 years. She is a member of the Pacific Islands Chapter of the Internet Society.
Gunela is well-known in the disability field but also has broad Internet governance expertise. She has taught Information Policy and Governance to IT postgraduate students in Griffith University’s Department of International Business and Asian Studies.
Gunela has worked in disability policy and research for 25 years and comes from a library and information management background. She led projects at the Telematics and Disability Centre of Telia (Swedish Telecom) and the European Union-funded project, COST 219 (Telecommunications: Access for Disabled and Elderly People). Gunela participates in ICANN’s APRALO and has served on the At-Large Board Candidate Evaluation Committee and on the Internet Society’s NomCom.
Mr. Satish BABU
India - Chair, APRALO (Civil Society)
Chair, APRALO and Founder-Chair, ISOC India Trivandrum. Past President, Computer Society of India, and Founder-Director, International Centre for Free and Open Source Software (ICFOSS). Co-founder, India SIG (https://insig.in) and Board Member, APSIG.
Resident of Kerala, India.
Mr. Fouad BAJWA
Pakistan - Adjunct & Visiting Fellow, CPPG (Civil Society)
Fouad Bajwa has been actively engaged in ICT and Internet Public Policy related issues and advocacy for over a decade. He has been an entrepreneur, a social enterprise manager, an academic and researcher. His civil society and advocacy group regularly engages with Internet policy makers through face-to-face and media interventions that has facilitated the evolution of pluralism and dissent online. He was a participant in the WSIS process and a Member of the MAG of the Internet Governance Forum from 2009-2012. As a Public Policy Expert, Fouad engages with various organizations and initiatives in Pakistan and other regions on policy areas related to ICT4D, innovation, multi-sectoral and cross-cutting research. From 2004-2007 Fouad led the Free and Open Source Software FOSS movement in Pakistan that helped establish an open and parallel industry ecosystem in the country also featured during WSIS 2005. From 2007 to 2009, Fouad managed a US$160 million dollar ICT4D international partnership portfolio for a global low-cost computing program. Fouad has worked with various multilateral organizations carrying out technical capacity transfer missions in the areas of ICT4D, ICT Policy, Open Innovation and more recently was engaged as an internationally recruited consultant with ITU, UNCTAD and UNESCWA. He has been serving as the Co-Vice Chair of APRALO At-Large at ICANN from 2010-2012 and now from 2012-2014. Fouad advocates for an open and multisktakeholder ICT and Internet public policy processes in Pakistan and empirically monitors the growth of the Internet and DNS market in Pakistan
Ms. Sylvia CADENA
Australia - Head of Programs, APNIC Foundation (Technical Community)
Internet for development specialist with 20+ years of experience across Latin America and the Asia Pacific regions on how Internet technologies can support social and economic development. Extensive experience on the design, fundraising, management and reporting of collaborative initiatives focusing on Internet infrastructure; regulatory frameworks for equitable access; community engagement on ICT projects, technical training and Internet Governance.
Profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sylviacadena/
Ms. YingChu CHEN
Taiwan, Asia - Assistant Research Fellow, Taiwan Institute of Economic Research (Academia)
Interested in digital transformation, cyber security, data protection and privacy issues. Engaged with open data & open government data initiative in Taiwan during 2012 to 2014.
Now, engage with Taiwan Internet Governance Forum.
Twitter: @yinchuchen
Ms. Joyce CHEN
Singapore - Senior Manager, GSE Strategy & Development, ICANN (Technical Community)
Joyce joined ICANN in February 2016 and is part of ICANN’s Asia Pacific Regional Office. Based in Singapore, her main focus is in deepening ICANN’s engagement within Asia. Joyce works across multiple community stakeholder groups to enable better participation within ICANN, and to increase awareness and knowledge on issues related to the Domain Name System (DNS), DNS industry, and others.
Mr. Srinivas (Sunny) CHENDI
Australia - Senior Advisor - Policy and Community Development, APNIC (Technical Community)
Srinivas (Sunny) Chendi is APNIC's Senior Advisor for Policy and Community Development and also Liaison Officer for the South Asia region. He is responsible for supporting the APNIC community in the resource Policy Development Process and enhancing the levels of engagement and participation of the members of the community which APNIC serves. He also manages the South Asia region Liaison role while establishing partnerships with external organizations to encourage latest technical deployments and help the community derive the maximum benefit from developments at APNIC.
Mr. Rajesh CHHARIA
New Delhi - President Internet Service Providers Association of India (ISPAI), Internet Service Providers Association of India (ISPAI) (Technical Community)
President Internet Service Providers Association of India (ISPAI), Secretary APNIC and MAG Member of UN IGF, started carrier 1999 with 100% digital Internet Services in NCR Delhi with target to connect unconnected and bridge digital divide. Active in policy proposal in Apnic for the larger benefit of ISP.
Involved in organising lots of domestic and international events successfully.
Recently launched INNOG (Indian Network Operators Group) with event twice a year with objective of creating job opportunities in village to uplift youth of rural India to bring them at par with urban youths.
Dr. Yik Chan CHIN
China - Assistant Professor, Xian Jiaotong Liverpool University (Academia)
Dr. Yik Chan Chin is Assistant Professor at Xian Jiaotong-Liverpool University's School of Film and TV Arts. Prior to this, she worked in the University of Nottingham and University of Oxford’s School of Law as a research fellow in media and communication regulation and law, as well as in Hong Kong Baptist University’s Department of Journalism. Her areas of research include media and communication policy, governance, and law with special focus on China. Currently, she is working on the projects of Internet governance in China, big data ethics in the social media sector, and communication ethics in the Artificial Intelligent context.
Ms. Duangthip CHOMPRANG
Thailand - Director, International Institute for Trade and Development (Academia)
Duangthip Chomprang, or Thip is currently ITD’s Director for International Cooperation department. She comes from a multidisciplinary background with successful track records in international investment and finance, commercial contracts, productivity and sustainable development, business development and technology transfer specialization, both in the commercial and non-commercial sector.
Her work experiences cover basic productivity to frontier technologies ranging from firm level to national level framework including policies that takes in to account the social, political, cultural, economic, technology, trade as well as environmental factors. With over 20 years of experiences in this field she has authored various policy papers as well as, created many successful center of excellence in the region, focusing on advancing the region’s development and competitiveness.
Her current roles include facilitating understanding and advancing dialogues in areas relating to National and enterprise Competition Policies, Technology & Innovation Cluster, Centers of Excellence, Open Data, Open standard/source technology, technology development policies, Digital Trade, Circular Economy, International Trade and Investment Policies, Knowledge Management, Internet Development and Governance policies, Internet Economy, regional trade agreements and treaties relating to Intellectual Property Rights, technology and e-commerce/IT chapters.
She is a frequent invited speaker and participant at the various Internet related platforms such as APECTEL, APT, APTLD, APRICOT, Global IGF, ICANN, ICC, APrIGF, ESCAP, EU, UNECE, OECD, ASEAN, the World Bank as well as national policy forums hosted by Governments. She is a recipient of the prestigious Dr. Eliyahu Goldratt scholarship (father of Theory of Constraint). She is also an active Board Member of the Asia-Pacific Regional IGF and the Asia Nano-Forum. And permanent technical expert for the ESCAP’s current Pan-Asian Information Superhighway initiative and the APEC TEL’s Steering Working Groups on Cybersecurity & Prosperity Group, Market Liberalisation Group and the Development Group.
Prof. Kilnam CHON
South Korea - Professor Emeritus, Kaist (Academia)
Professor in computer science at korea advanced institute of science and technology, south korea. worked on research and education network as well as computer and network architecture.
Founded various internet organizations including APNG, APAN, APTLD, AP* and APSIG.
Ms. Amrita CHOUDHURY
India - Director, CCAOI (Civil Society)
Amrita Choudhury serves as the Director of a not for profit association, CCAOI which is responsible for representing the interests of the various stakeholders of the ecosystem of Internet in India, including the Public Internet access points (Cybercafés/CSC's/ Kiosk providers) who provide assisted internet services, service and content providers, connected and unconnected users. In fact, she has been one of the forces behind creating CCAOI as a platform, unifying the different stakeholders, representing their interests and developing the community by creating awareness amongst them about the laws, regulations, best practices, etc.
Amrita has been involved in digital literacy programs in the local languages in India and the Digital Literacy program which she had initiated from CCAOI called "Project Gyan" was recognized by The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in their National Broadband Paper.
An active participant in policy discussions, both at domestic and international platforms, she is also involved in capacity building in Internet Governance. She conducts studies and research, events and seminars and disseminates information on Internet Governance events, initiatives, policies and opportunities to stakeholders in the region.
Besides, she is also the Treasurer of Internet Society India, Delhi Chapter, Lead APAC Women SIG and one of the founding and active members of the India School of Internet Governance (inSIG).
Mr. Edmon CHUNG
Hong Kong - CEO, DotAsia Organisation (Technical Community)
Edmon Chung is serving as the CEO for DotAsia Organisation and heads the secretariat for the Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum (APrIGF), and the secretariat for the Asian Film Awards Academy. Edmon serves also on the founding board of the Internet Governance Forum Support Association (IGFSA), and on the Executive Committee of Internet Society Hong Kong, which serves as the secretariat for the Asia Pacific Regional At-Large Organisation (APRALO) and participates extensively on Internet governance issues.
Since 2002, Edmon played a leadership role in the region-wide .Asia initiative, bringing together an open membership of 29 official country-code top-level domain authorities and regional Internet bodies. DotAsia is a not-for-profit organization with a mandate to promote Internet development and adoption in Asia. Since its launch in 2008, DotAsia has contributed significantly to a variety of community projects in Asia, including for example: OLPC.asia, Go.Asia, ISIF.Asia, NetMission.Asia, MaD.Asia and others.
Edmon is an inventor of patents underlying technologies for internationalized domain names (IDN) and email addresses on the Internet. Edmon has served on many global IDN related committees, including technical and policy groups, that made it possible for the introduction of multilingual domain names and email addresses on the Internet. Currently Edmon serves as the Vice-Chair of the Universal Acceptance Steering Group and is an Advisor on the IDN Variant Project Label Generation Rules Panels. Edmon founded Neteka Inc. in partnership with the University of Toronto Innovations Foundation in 1999, and went on to win the Most Innovative Award in the Chinese Canadian Entrepreneurship Award in 2001. In 2000, Edmon was selected by The Globe and Mail as one of the Young Canadian Leaders. Between 2006 and 2010, Edmon served as an elected member on the ICANN GNSO Council. Between 2010 and 2012, Edmon served as an elected member on the ICANN At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC) from the Asia Pacific Region. Between 2006 and 2011, Edmon served as an elected member of the Elections Committee of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the Information Technology Subsector.
Edmon has a Bachelor of Applied Science and Master of Engineering from the University of Toronto.
Ms. Noelle DE GUZMAN
Philippines - Regional Policy Manager, Asia-Pacific, Internet Society (Technical Community)
Noelle de Guzman is Regional Policy Manager for Asia-Pacific at the Internet Society, the world's trusted independent source of leadership for Internet policy, technology standards, and future development.
In this role, Noelle engages with stakeholders across the region to carry out ISOC’s policy-related initiatives, working closely with governments and regulators to develop conducive environments that enable the Internet to become a platform for innovation and socio-economic growth
Mr. Shibendu DEBBARMA
India - Joint Director, Software Technology Parks of India (Technical Community)
He is working as Joint Director, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), Agartala, Tripura and Vice-President, Youth for Integration (NGO) based in Agartala, Tripura, India. He is spreading utility of Internet among locality in his area through various activities. He was Assistant Professor in Department of Information Technology, Tripura University.
His teaching and research interests combine data network, IPv6, IoT and Internet Technologies. He has research publications in conference proceedings and in academic journals as well as. He is involved with ISOC, IGF, APAN etc.
Ms. Chat GARCIA RAMILO
Philippines and Australia - Executive Director, Association for Progressive Communications (Civil Society)
Chat Garcia Ramilo is the Executive Director of the Association for Progressive Communications (APC). She served as APC’s Deputy Executive Director from 2012-April 2017 and manager of APC’s women’s programme from 2004-2012. Ms. Ramilo has considerable organisational, management and gender expertise developed over 30 years of leading and managing multi-country and multi-disciplinary projects, programmes and networks.
Mr. Mohammad Abdul HAQUE
Bangladesh - Secretary General, Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum (Civil Society)
I am Mohammad Abdul Haque, presently working as founding Secretary General of Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum (BIGF) in conjunction with United Nation Internet Governance Forum created by UN World Summit on the Information Society (UN WSIS) Action plan from 2006. Moreover, have been working as the Executive Editor of the monthly Computer Jagat, the first ICT magazine in Bangladesh since 1991. However, served as the co-founder and President of Bangladesh ICT Journalist Forum (BIJF). Achievement, National ICT journalist award on 2016 in Bangladesh. Member of MSG, Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum on 2018. Co-founder and Finance Secretary of e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB) since 2014. Also General Body Member of The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI). As of my interest engaged as Research Assistant, Accident Research Institute, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka. Completed Master’s degree in Sociology & Anthropology from Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Mr. Waqas HASSAN
Islamabad, Pakistan - President, Internet Society Pakistan Islamabad Chapter (Civil Society)
Waqas is the President of Internet Society Pakistan Islamabad Chapter. He has been an active volunteer for the IG community of Pakistan, mainly in the field of capacity development, innovative education solutions and multi-stakeholder participation. He is also the Assistant Director (International Liaison & Training) at the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, with regulatory experience of over 14 years that includes international coordination, stakeholder engagement, ICT development analysis, ICT indicators review, Internet Governance, mobile money and civil society engagement.
Waqas volunteers for the Asia-Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum (APrIGF) MSG after being selected as APrIGF fellow in 2017. He is also a member of the drafting committee and Programme committee for APrIGF. Waqas is also a DIPLO, APSIG2017 & 2018 fellow, ISOC's SANOG fellow, ISOC chapter fellow to ICANN60 and LIRNEasia's Young Scholar on ICT Policy and Research. He is also a member of the steering committee for Pakistan School on Internet Governance and Pakistan Internet Governance Forum. He has collaborated with various international organizations to hold ICT events and foreign training opportunities for the PTA officers. He has also documented the national and regional ICT Policy developments for various publications and analytical reports. He also contributes as a member of various Internet and telecom expert groups such as ITU's Expert Group on ICT Household Indictors and ITU's Expert Group on Telecommunication and ICT Indicator. He has been a key member of IG capacity building events in Pakistan such as Mobile App Awards, National Broadband Forum, INET Islamabad, Pakistan Digital forum, Disaster Management using ICTs, Mobile App Awards, ICT Indicators Symposium. He holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration as well as Bachelor's Degree in Business Information Technology from Curtin University, Australia.
Ms. Maureen HILYARD
Pacific - Development Consultant, Self-employed (Civil Society)
Interest in IG since joining PICISOC in 2006 and spending 6 years on the Board. I have now returned for another term on the Board with an interest in encouraging more discussion about IG issues in the Pacific both online and at a PacINET/PacIGF. I am currently the Chair of the ALAC of ICANN serving the interests of Internet end-users within At-Large in discussions about policy issues relating to generic and country code domain names. I am on the Board of Dot Asia and the Advisory Council of the Pubic Interest Registry. I have served on the Fellowship and Program Committees of the APRIGF.
Mr. Pablo HINOJOSA
Australia - Strategic Engagement Director, APNIC (Technical Community)
Pablo Hinojosa is an expert in Internet governance with more than 15 years of experience in both Latin America and the Asia-Pacific regions. He is currently Strategic Engagement Director at APNIC, the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre. He represents the organisation at a senior level with governments, key intergovernmental and treaty organisations, and other key stakeholders. Previous to joining APNIC, he was Regional Relations Manager at ICANN. In this role, he worked with the Latin American Internet community to promote strategic alliances. He also played an active role in the establishment of ICANN’s first office in Washington DC. Before ICANN, he was Director for Multilateral Affairs in the Mexican Federal Telecommunications Commission (COFETEL). As a a government official, he represented Mexico at the UN World Summit of the Information Society (WSIS).
Mr. Md Jahangir HOSSAIN
Bangladesh - Vice Chair, Board of Trustee, Internet Society Bangladesh (Technical Community)
I’m the Vice Chair of Board of Trustee, Internet Society (ISOC) Bangladesh and founding member of Executive Committee of Bangladesh Network Operator Group (bdNOG). I’m fellow alumni member of SANOG, ISOC NGL, APNIC, ICANN and UNIGF.
I’m also active member of ISOC, APNIC, ICANN's ASO, ISPCP, At Large and IGF community. I’m also trying to put contribution from developing countries perspective to building awareness and skill on Internet governance principle in local and regional community.
Now I’m based in Dhaka, Bangladesh where professionally as a Sr. Manager, Data Communication Network of Banglatel Group a leading International Internet Gateway (IIG), International Gateway (IGW), Interconnection Exchange (ICX), Internet Service Provider (ISP) operator in Bangladesh.
Beside these I have been working on policy making process, awareness and development in various stakeholders also working as an ICT presenter, Trainer as well as organizer for local and regional community. Now I have been trying to build up awareness and skill for analysis Critical Internet Resource, Internet governance principle, Cyber security, Date protection and Community empowerment to ensure "Internet for everyone”.
Mr. Hiro HOTTA
Japan - Director, JPRS (Technical Community)
Hiro Hotta is Director of JPRS. He is responsible for corporate planning and administration of JPRS. He has actively participated and lead discussions in ICANN as a ccNSO Councilor and in APTLD as an active ex-Board member. He is also one of the alternate members participating in RSSAC of ICANN.
He has been a member of APrIGF MSG (Multistakeholder Steering Group) from the time of its creation and also a member of IGCJ (Internet Governance Conference Japan) coordination team. Among his recent activities regarding IDN, he chairs JGP (Japanese Generation Panel) in ICANN's RootLGR project. In June 2017, he received ICANN Multistakeholder Ethos Award, especially by being acknowledged his contribution to IDN development and deployment.
Mr. Kenny HUANG
Taiwan - CEO and Board Director, TWNIC (Technical Community)
My name is Kenny Huang, CEO of TWNIC. I have been working with the Internet community for years. I am the co-author of IETF RFC3743 "IDN registration and administration guideline for CJK", Executive Council Member of APNIC, Board member of Internet Society of Taipei, Board member of Taiwan Internet Association. I confirm my interest to continue the APrIGF MSG membership and will devote my effort to the APrIGF community.
Mr. Ali HUSSAIN
Kuala Lumpur - Research Scholar, University of Malaya (Academia)
I am Information technology and internet policy researcher and currently pursuing research (Cloud Computing & Governance Technology) at the University of Malaya. In the past served as Lead Regional Chapter at PISA (Pakistan Information Security Association), Senior Malware Researcher at Ebryx (Pvt) Ltd. Actively involved in NRIs of Global IGF, participated in ICANN60 under NextGen program, MSG member of APrIGF, member of PkSIGs, ISOC Islamabad and also take a keen interest in ICT policy and development activities in the Asia Pacific region.
I have a good understanding of Internet governance and desire to stay engaged with the community for inclusive and multi-stakeholder model of working about the future of the internet and the impact of internet innovation on the socio-economic need of the public. Couple of ISOC sponsored IG specific course, together with regional engagement as fellow and attendee of various regional event build a solid foundation to predict the impact of internet policy and technologies. Through ICANN learn helped a lot in imagining the operation, management, and stack of stakeholders in the Internet ecosystem. I also was engaged in outreach and capacity building activities to train the technical community on various topics. I served as a speaker at returning fellow at Fellow APrIGF 2017-18 and also plan to contribute to IETF. I am interested in the Security and privacy issues of users over the intent platform on the internet. I am looking to further excel and develop my skills in policy advisor, and actively looking to serve as a consultant for technical and policy issue of intent and its application.
Dr. Aris IGNACIO
Asia Pacific - Philippines - Dean - College of Information Technology, Southville International School and Colleges (Academia)
Aris is currently the Dean for the College of Information Technology at Southville International School and Colleges located in Las Piñas City, Philippines.
He has been an ICANN fellow in several ICANN meetings. Aris was previously an Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Ambassador in 2017 and a participant of the first Asia Pacific School of Internet Governance in 2016. He was also a founding board member of the rejuvenation of ISOC Philippines Chapter and its past President and Vice President for Development. He is now a board member and Chair for ISOC-PH.
Aris serves on the Multistakeholder Steering Group (MSG) for the Asia Pacific Regional IGF (APrIGF) and is a committee member for its fellowship program. He is an advocate for youth involvement in Internet Governance discussions and digital literacy as an outreach and has facilitated active participation of tertiary students in local, regional and global IG events and discussions in Asia Pacific more specifically in the Philippines.
Ms. Tripti JAIN
india - counsel, sflc.in (Civil Society)
Tripti has pursued BA.LLB (Hons.) and is currently working as Counsel at SFLC.in. At SFLC.in,she is involved in various projects that includes research and advisory on a variety of issues such as privacy rights, civil rights, censorship, free speech and women rights in online & offline space. She also coordinates SFLC.in's work on Internet Shutdowns.
Before joining SFLC.in, Tripti was assisting Former Chief Election
Commissioner of India, Mr. S.Y Quraishi on a research project pertaining to numerous issues plaguing South Asian democracies. She wants to work towards the country’s developmental agenda and her decisions are not driven by fear or societal divisiveness.
Mr. Priyatosh JANA
India - Vice - President(Membership), Assistant Professor, ISOC India Kolkata Chapter, Mallabhum Institute of Technology (Academia)
Presently is a Vice President Membership of ISOC India Kolkata Chapter and Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at Mallabhum Institute of Technology, India. He was the former Lecturer of Computer Science at Shivaji Science College, Nagpur, India.
His physical participation was in the first edition of Asia Pacific School on Internet Governance (APSIG),2016 at Bangkok, IETF98 at Chicago as ISOC Kolkata Fellow, India School on Internet Governance (inSIG) 2018 as Fellow at New Delhi and Global IGF2018 at UNESCO, Paris as Internet Society (ISOC) 2018 IGF Ambassadors Fellow. He has been selected as Fellow to NASIG2019 and ATLAS III Supported Traveler to ICANN66, Montreal.
He is experienced in attending, organizing Seminars and workshops on Internet Governance and Technology related event. He is an Invited Speaker for capacity Building on Digital Inclusion, Accessibility & Empowerment, Internet Governance and ICT for Education etc towards a secured Digital Society. He has not restricted himself only within the conventional regular academic exercises. Presently he is associated with several professional bodies. Attached with various institute level committees which function properly for the smooth running and Single Point of Contact(SPOC) of IIT designed National Program on Technology Enhanced Learning(NPTEL) MOOC courses, Remote center coordinator of National Education Mission through ICTs(NMEICT,Govt.of India) and Virtual lab Nodal center Coordinator.
His motivation to become a facilitator on Internet Governance and Technology based events in locally, regionally, globally and particularly in Asia-Pacific.
ICANNWiki profile - https://icannwiki.org/Priyatosh_Jana
Ms. Shubha KAYASTHA
Nepal - Co-Founder/Chief-Executive, Body & Data (Civil Society)
Shubha Kayastha (She/Her) is a queer feminist. She is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Body & Data, an organisation based in Nepal that works in the area of digital rights from the lens of gender and sexuality. She has worked in various national and regional organisations in past 10 years around the issues of women's rights, sexual and reproductive health, disability and internet freedom. You can find her on twitter at @shubha_a
Ms. Narine KHACHATRYAN
Armenia - Executive Director, STEM Society | Safer Internet Armenia (Civil Society)
Narine Khachatryan has over a decade of experience in project development and coordination in the field of ICTs with extensive experience of working with stakeholders from government, industry, civil society and international organizations. Ms. Khachatryan has been a coordinator of Safer Internet Armenia since 2009, an initiative aimed to raise awareness about Internet safety and privacy issues among the general population and create a better on-line environment for children and youths. She has been a co-founder of Media Education Center, an organisation that has promoted media and digital literacies since 2007, developed media literacy materials for schools and initiated a country-wide e-learning and e-citizenship activities. Since 2009 Ms. Khachatryan has been engaged in Internet Governance initiatives at national and regional level through ICANN, the Council of Europe, European Dialog on Internet Governance and other organizations and networks. She has been invited as an expert to EuroDIG and has been a panelist, session moderator and hub organizer each year since 2010 in annual forums across the European continent. She has also provided expert consultation to stakeholders from academia, civil society and governments on Internet policy issues and participated in drafting Internet-related policy papers.
Ms. has participated in 6 ICANN face-to-face meetings, as an ALAC Invitee, Mentor, At-Large Structure Representative, Fellow Coach. Between 2011 and 2013 she has been a policy fellow at DiploFoundation. She has graduated from the Yerevan State University, the Department of Physics.
Mr. Ananda KHANAL
Nepal - Senior Director, Nepal Telecommunications Authority (Government)
Mr Ananda Raj Khanal, Senior Director at Nepal Telecommunications Authority Ananda Raj Khanal, born in Nepal in 1970, is currently senior Director at Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) , an independent and autonomous telecom regulator of Nepal. Before joining NTA in April 2006, he was with the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Kathmandu University in Nepal. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electronics and Communications, Master of Engineering degree in Optical Communication. He is a gold medalist in Bachelors of Law ( LLB).
Mr Khanal has taken a number of training courses related to policy, legal, regulation and management of Telecommunications/ICTs sector conducted by different international institutes of repute including ITU , ACMA, PURC, APT, TEMIC, USTTI and other regulatory agencies.
He is an elected Vice Chairman of ITU-D Study Group 2 for the period 2014-2017 and re-elected through the World Telecommunications Development Conference ( WTDC-17) for 2018-2021.
He has chaired a number of national committees that deals with telecommunications and ICTs including cyber security, accessible Internet for persons with disabilities etc.
He is a founding member of Internet Society, Nepal Chapter and has been very active in its activities. He is a government stakeholder member of Nepal Internet Governance Forum and is very active in issues related to Internet Governance. He has significantly contributed in the promotion of internet issues related to gender equality, disability and bridging the digital divide issue. He is a MAG member of Global IGF for 2019. He can be reached at arkhanal@hotmail.com, arkhanal@nta.gov.np; +9779851100467( Viber and Whatsapp)
Ms. Gayatri KHANDHADAI
India - Asia Policy Regional Coordinator, Association for Progressive Communications (APC) (Civil Society)
Gayatri Khandhadai is a lawyer with a background in international law and human rights, international and regional human rights mechanisms, research, and advocacy. She works with the Association for Progressive Communications as the Asia Policy Regional Coordinator. Her current focus is on digital rights in Asia with specific emphasis on ICT laws and policies through a human rights based approach.
Mr. Maheeshwara KIRINDIGODA
Sri Lanka - Managing Director, Asian Destinations Pvt Ltd (Private Sector)
Maheeshwara Kirindigoda is a Internet enthusiast and a Internet entrepreneur. His involvement in Internet Begins in the year 2013. He has been appointed as the President of Internet Society Sri Lanka Chapter in the year 2018 May.
He was the Founder chairman of IGF Sri Lanka and School on Internet Governance Sri Lanka initiatives.
He has started his career as a Software Architect and Network Administrator. Has been severed in Sri Lankan Government in the Capacity of a Secretary.
Mostly interested in the subject of Social Impact of Technologies, Internet based Economy, and New Technologies.
His activities in Safer Internet , Rights of Internet age and New technologies are highlighted.
Ms. Mariko KOBAYASHI
Japan - Researcher, Mercari, Inc. (Private Sector)
Mariko Kobayashi is involved in IGF, APrIGF, IETF, and ICANN communities. She focuses on the collaboration of tech and the I-G fields, youth participation, women in Tech, and emerging technology.
She currently serves as a researcher in Mercari, Inc., a marketplace app company based in Japan. She is a board member of the WIDE project, a project for the research and operation of the Internet.
Mr. Joshua KONABE
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea - Student, Victoria University(Melbourne Australia) (Civil Society)
I am 30 years of age from Papua New Guinea. I currently reside in Melbourne Australia, where I am pursuing my post graduate studies in Telecommunication Engineering, at the Victoria University.
I have worked for three years with bmobile-vodafone Ltd as a RAN engineer before pursuing my post graduate study.
I attended the Asia Pacific Internget Governance Academy(APIGA) this year(2019). Which has ignited an interest in me to get involve to learn,participate and contribute to internet governace related issues and forum. Which will then help me to share the knowledge gain in my future workplace and or communities in my country.
Ms. Alexandra KULIKOVA
Moscow, Russia - Head of Global Stakeholder Engagement, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, ICANN (Technical Community)
Alexandra Kulikova is Head of Global Stakeholder Engagement (GSE) for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at ICANN. Alexandra joined ICANN in 2015 as GSE Manager, as of September 2017 she leads the development and implementation of the ICANN GSE regional projects engaging with various stakeholder groups on a variety of topics regarding the role of ICANN in regional and global internet governance, global DNS security, stability and resiliency issues and DNS industry development. Before ICANN, she ran the research programme on global Internet governance and international information security at PIR Center think- tank, now acting as a consultant to it. Alexandra is on the editorial board of the Chatham House Journal of Cyber Policy. Alexandra holds an MSc degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science in media and communication governance and a graduate degree in linguistics from Moscow State Linguistic University.
Ms. Cherie LAGAKALI
Fiji - Systems Consultant, Rosie Holidays (Civil Society)
12years experience in Application Development and Systems Analysis in the private sector; in Banking previously with the Fiji Development Bank and Tourism presently a database consultant for Rosie Holidays Fiji.
Board Member (Treasurer) of Pacific Islands Chapter of Internet Society (PICISOC).
Familiar with ICANN and Internet governance work having attended ICANN60 as an At-Large representative for Asian, Australasian and Pacific Islands Regional At-Large Organization (APRALO) and ICANN63 as a fellow.
Helped to organize the Pacific Internet Governance Forum (PacIGF) 2018.
Strong interest in issues related to Internet accessibility, privacy and cybersecurity for the Pacific region and seek to empower women in the information and communications technology sector.
Ms. Cheryl LANGDON-ORR
Australia - Oceania APAC Region - Director - Vice Chair (International), Internet Australia (Civil Society)
In 2017 I was reappointed as a Director of Internet Australia (IA) (previously known a the Internet Society of Australia, ISOC-AU) an accredited ICANN At-Large Structure (ALS) since March 2005, having served in this capacity since 2001, I am also currently serving as Vice Chair (International) of Internet Australia, and their representative on the ISOC Chapters Advisory Council. For ten (10) years( 2004 to 27 Oct 2014) I was also a elected Demand Class Director (2002-14) of the .au Domain Name Administrator (auDA) for Country Code TLD .au (which was a Founding Member of the ICANN ccNSO), serving in a number of Board WG's and activities most recently in the Board Finance and Budget Sub Committee, and Chairing the Board Governance and Remuneration Sub Committee.
I continue to serve as a consumer advocate representative to the Australian Communications Compliance (CommCom) Advisory Committee an independent code monitoring (and reporting) body, that is to ensure that Carriage Service Providers (CSPs) in Australia are compliant with the Telecommunications Consumer Protection (TCP) Code, since appointment there in late 2012.
Within ICANN's At-Large Community I represents ISOC-AU as an ICANN accredited At-Large Structure (ALS) in ICANN's Asia Pacific Regional At-Large Organisation (APRALO) and also as an APRALO representative to the ALAC, (2007 - 2011). As Chair of the ALAC, I was appointed to serve on the 1st Affirmation of Commitments Review Team for ICANN looking at Accountability and Transparency. http://icann.org/en/reviews/affirmation/review-1-en.htm; At the end of 2018 I was appointed to also serve on behalf of the ALAC/At-Large in the 2019 3rd Affirmation of Commitments Review Team ATRT3, where I will serve as its Co-Chair. I am also an Individual member of the GNSO's Non-Commercial Stakeholder Group (NCSG). In the ICANN Community and has also served on a numerous Working Groups, Work Teams and Task Forces (mostly listed and linked below). ALAC / At-Large Statement of Interest (SOI) is found here Cheryl Langdon-Orr SOI and GNSO Statement of Interest (SOI) found here Cheryl Langdon-Orr GNSO - SOI
Mr. Holmes LEONG
Macao - Chief Operations Officer, Registry of Macao Network Information Center (MONIC), HNET Asia Limited (Private Sector)
About HNET Asia Limited, the Operation Company of MONIC
HNET Asia Limited is a joint venture of HN Group and DotAsia Organisation. With strong local commitments and understanding from the HN Group, coupled with the international and industry expertise of the DotAsia Organisation, the HNET Asia Limited is uniquely positioned to deliver on the promise of developing the .MO registry into a world class registry that speaks to the people of Macao.
Ms. Sabrina LIM
Singapore - GSE Programs Manager, APAC, ICANN (Technical Community)
Sabrina Lim is ICANN’s Global Stakeholder Engagement Programs Manager for APAC. She focuses on widening the regional community’s participation in ICANN through engagement programs with various stakeholders.
She comes from a background specialized in Communications for the Singapore government. She served in this capacity for some 8 years across the Ministry of Communications and Information, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of National Development.
Sabrina holds an Honours degree in Sociology from the National University of Singapore, and a graduate diploma in Communications from Nanyang Technological University.
Mr. Yong LIU
China - Researcher, Hebei Academy of Social Sciences in China (Academia)
My name is Liu Yong(刘勇). I received my doctoral degree in law from the China University of Political Science and Law(中国政法大学). I am currently a legal manager at the Vivedu Corp. invested by leading virtual reality company HTC, and a researcher at the Hebei Academy of Social Sciences in China（河北省社会科学院). My research interests include internet law, intellectual property and internet governance. I have published several books and papers in the field of internet law and copyright law. I am interviewed regularly by local and national media outlets to provide legal perspective on current events
Ms. Anju MANGAL
Fiji and New Caledonia - Business Analyst and ECM Advisor, Digital Transformation, Pacific Community (SPC) (Inter-governmental Organisation)
Anju Mangal works for the Pacific Community (SPC), a regional and International organisation providing technical assistance to the 22 Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs). She is currently employed as the Business Analyst and ECM Adviser with the Digital Transformation Team of the Pacific Community (SPC). She has at least 17+ years of experience in the role of knowledge management, information management, e-government, digital transformation, ICT policies and strategies and enterprise content management. She has experience leading the implementation of complex ICT systems and business processes and building partnerships with key stakeholders in national, regional and International countries. She has a Masters in Governance and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Information Systems and GIS/Geography. She has worked in European Union and IntraACP Projects as well as DFAT (Australian) and NZAID (New Zealand), including other donors and partners such as ADB, World Bank, Data61, ANU, ITU, CTO, PICISOC, ISOC, GIZ, CTA, UN-FAO, etc.
Anju was a former member of the United Nations Internet Governance Forum Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG). She is an alumni of the Internet Governance Capacity Building Program in 2009 and was an ISOC Ambassador to the IGF in 2008 in Hyderabad, India, and a Commonwealth IGF fellow and member of the UN-Internet Governance Forum and Secretariat team in Azerbaijan, Egypt, Turkey and Indonesia. She was chosen to represent Fiji and the Pacific region to work as a fellow at the UN IGF Secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland. She continues to advocate on challenges faced by the Pacific countries in the area of ICT, knowledge management and Internet governance. Anju has been involved Internet Governance processes at global IGF, regional (Pacific and APRIGF) and national level and continues to promote a multistakeholder approach to various stakeholders and communities of practice.
Ms. Jyotsa MASKAY
South Asia/Nepal - Executive Chairperson, LOOM (Civil Society)
Jyotsna Maskay is an intersectional feminist, and draws her energy and power from the women's movement. She works with LOOM, a collective that works from a multi generational approach to sustain revolution against discrimination and oppression. LOOM works through sexuality expanding around bodily integrity, internet, freedom of expression, gender and movement building. LOOM is the first organisation that did a research on use of internet and sexual expression, and online gender based violence. LOOM collaborates with queer collectives, women's rights collective and young people on internet, sexuality and freedom of expression
Ms. Natalia MOCHU
Moscow, Russian Federation - Global Stakeholder Engagement Manager Eastern Europe and Central Asia, ICANN (Technical Community)
Natalia joined ICANN as Global Stakeholder Engagement Manager Eastern Europe and Central Asia in December 2018. Most recently has worked with the Radio Research and Development Institute in Moscow, specializing in Internet related public-policy issues and international cooperation. Previously she’s worked with the National Communications Administration of Moldova, followed by the Regional Communications Commonwealth for the CIS countries. Natalia has experience in international cooperation, engagement activities with government representatives and other stakeholders, research and multilateral negotiations related to policy aspects of Internet governance. She holds Master degree in computer science with the Moldova State University.
Dr. Sudha Bhuvaneswari NARAYANASWAMY
India - Associate Professor, Dr.G.R Damodaran College of Science (Academia)
Dr.N.Sudha Bhuvaneswari MCA.,M.Phil, PhD
EXPERIENCE: 20 Years (Teaching) 15 Years (Research)
AWARDS: MARQUIS WHO IS WHO IN THE WORLD for the year 2012 for Research in Information Technology.
PhD : A Study on Integrated Agent Communication Model (IACM) for VANETS using Mobile Agents
M.Phil : Title-: Retaining Mobile Agent Platforms & Services using RSSMA
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP:
• The Society of Digital Information and Wireless Communications
• Global Member, India-Bangalore Chapter, Internet Society (ISOC), Switzerland
• International Member in International Association of Engineers (IAENG)
• NFP Member in European Computer Manufacturers Association (ECMA International), Switzerland
• Internet Society Member Chennai and Trivandrum Chapter
• Member of Computer Society of India
FELLOWSHIPS
• Fellow in Asia Pacific Network Interconnection Centre held in Colombo, Srilanka during 2016
• Fellow in Asia Pacific Network Interconnection Centre held in Taichung, Taiwan during 2017
• Fellow in Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum held in Bangkok during 2017
• Fellow in Indian School of Internet Governance held in Trivandrum during 2017
• Fellow in APRICOT 2018 hackathon held in Kathmandu, Nepal during 2018
• Fellow in Indian School of Internet Governance held in New Delhi during 2018
POSITIONS HELD AT THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL
• Program Committee Member for the Asia Pacific Network Interconnection Centre Fellowship Programme held at New Caledonia during 2018.
• Steering Committee Member for the Indian School of Internet Governance held at New Delhi during 2018
Mr. Ananda NIRAULA
Kathmandu, Nepal - Cyber Crime Investigator and Digital Forensics Analyst, Nepal Police (Government)
I am working in Nepal Police since 13 years. From past 7 years I am working as cyber crime investigator as well as digital forensics analyst. I am serving my country, my motive is to help others.
Mr. Krishna Prasad POKHREL
Kathmandu, Nepal - Deputy CTO, WebSurfer Nepal Communication System Pvt. Ltd. (Technical Community)
I began my career in the field of Information Technology as a technical trainer in 2001 and thoroughly enjoyed teaching to several numbers of IT students in various institutes. I joined Websurfer Nepal Communication System Pvt. Ltd., a leading internet service provider in Nepal, in 2009 where I work with various technologies and am responsible for management of technical infrastructure, resources, implementation of the right technology for delivery of quality service to the customers.
I have a degree in MSC – IT from Sikkim Manipal University, India. I have undergone multiple vendor specific trainings, attended various regional and national level conferences and workshops provided by APNIC , APRICOT , SANOG , ISOC , npIX and npNOG. I was awarded fellowship to participate in training on USTTI-2016, APNIC-44, APNIC-46, APSIG-2018.
I am a member of npNOG and Executive Committee member of ISOC - Nepal Chapter. I am also associated with Nepal Research and Education Network (NREN), Federal Computer Association of Nepal ( FCAN ) and npIX. I assist in organizing various programmes, work as a resource person and create a network of IT professionals in Nepal to boost learning and development. I also contribute by providing insights into making policies for the development of the internet technology in the country.
I took the initiative to bring together all the ISPs in Nepal to form a consortium to share CDN nodes in Nepal which has benefitted all the ISPs.
I have contributed over 15 years of my career in the field of Information Technology. With my humble beginning as a trainer and now holding a Senior Level position in one of the leading ISPs in Nepal and my association with various national and international organizations, I look further to become an important contributor towards achievement of exemplary success of the internet technology.
Mr. Gorla PRAVEEN
Thailand - Research Student, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand (Academia)
Gorla Praveen is a memeber of Swecha FSMI and core team lead of JNTU GLUG, a local initiative of GNU/Linux user community. And also youth fellow member at Asia Pacific regional Internet Governance Forum (APrIGF 2017). He is also the co-founder and co-worker of a startup company which is based on implementing Internet of Things (IoT) in Indian agriculture system . He is currently pursuing his Masters in Telecommunications. His interest includes Free and Open Source Software, Open data, Open Hardware, Open access, Open education, Privacy, Research, Entrepreneurship, Human rights and Internet rights.
As an Hacktivist of SWECHA and a FOSS community member he has been involved in developing and implementing Free and Open source software with an inspiration from Richard stallmen who was behind the development of GNU/Linux and its applications for the open world. His first involvement in Internet and protecting its virtues for the community started in supporting Net Neutrality where the Indian Government thought of implementing differential pricing which is against the Net Neutrality.
He is also a mentor on behalf of Mozilla Foundation and Creative Commons Global Network Member - representing India
Mr. AHM Bazlur RAHMAN
National/Regional/ South Asia - Chief Executive Officer, Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication(BNNRC) (Civil Society)
AHM Bazlur Rahman-S21BR has spent 30+years of his career playing as a leading role as the social catalyst for promoting community media, communicating on the public sphere, communicating knowledge, civil rights in communication & cultural rights in communication, ICT for development, knowledge society, internet governance, amateur radio, right to information and policy advocacy. media development, theological communication, innovative thought provoking practitioner, knowledge management for development (KM4D) and business for development.
He has a unique quality of experience and contribution in an inclusive manner in multi-stakeholders of politics, development partners, the private sector, NGO & civil society, public sector, policy makers, academia and media. He is known as transformational expert, visionary, and change agent.
He is co- founder the Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) since 2000. BNNRC is in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) accredited with World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) of the United Nations and UN WSIS prize winner 2016 and Champion 2017.
BNNRC’s approach to media development is both knowledge-driven and context-sensitive, and it takes into account the challenges and opportunities created by the rapidly changing media environment in Bangladesh including community radio development giving voices for the voiceless.
Prof. Gnanajeyaraman RAJARAM
India - PROFESSOR / TECHNICAL ANALYST, SBM college of engineering and technology (Academia)
I am interested to applying for the position of Membership in MSG @APRIG. I believe that I can continue to make a significant contribution to developing digital growth of our region and society. In particular, I have:
- 15 years’ experience as faculty in engineering college and I had taken the subject for UG and PG engineering, management.
- My teaching and research interests combine data network, IPv6, IoT and Internet Technologies.
- I have published some research publications in conference proceedings and in academic journals as well as.
- I actively involved with ISOC, IGF etc.
- Department student counsellor and R&D coordinator.
- Editor for National Conferences Preceding, Technical Symposiums and College Magazine
- Study metrical, lab manual creation for the subject.
- Given Invited talk on FDP, Technical Workshop, VAC, SDP, EAC Sessions.
- Demonstrated sound work ethics, Self-motivation, initiative with a high level of energy.
- Organizing and coordinating technical event(FDP,Technical Workshop,Value Added Courses (VAC),SDP,EAC,Technical Symposium,Technical Seminar)
Ms. Pavitra RAMANUJAM
Chennai, India - Project Coordinator, Association for Progressive Communications (APC) (Civil Society)
Pavitra is a lawyer based in Chennai, India. She has been with the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) since 2016, and has been involved in their work in Asia, particularly on issues related to freedom of expression, assembly and association online in the region. Since 2018, she also coordinates APC’s overall member grants program.
Mr. Vivek S. RANA
Nepal - Principal Consultant, InfoAssure Pvt. Ltd (Technical Community)
Vivek Rana is the principal consultant for InfoAssure LLP Nepal working in the areas of Cyber-security, Enterprise Architecture, Governance, Risk and Compliance assurance and IS assurances. He is certified Enterprise Architect specializing in stakeholder engagement and Governance of Enterprise IT.
In the past he led Nepal Internet Users’ Group (NIUG) – first Internet related NGO in Nepal (1997) to on board organizations to embark Internet technologies funded by IDRC, worked for High Level commission for Information technology Nepal (2004), General Secretary of Computer Association of Nepal (2005) and represented in the second WSIS meeting in Tunis, Tunisia (2005). Vivek has worked in key ICT development projects i.e., Financial Sector Reform and Nepal Modernization project where he was instrumental in developing the Enterprise Architecture for Nepal along with groupware and Government Information Data center for the Government of Nepal.
He holds Masters degree from Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland in E-governance and Public policy and Electrical Engineering from University of Arizona, US.
Mr. Shreedeep RAYAMAJHI
Nepal - ICT4D consultant, RayzNews (Private Sector)
Shreedeep is a young group of leaders working towards standardization and multistakeholder concept in Asia Pacific. He is associated with APSIG and has been working with various internet organization like ICANN and Internet Society in creating better values of community collaboration. He is the founder of the youth innovative concept Learn Internet Governance(Learn IG) and Rayznews which has been doing various research and community work at national and regional level. He is associated with Nepal IGF, Nepal SIG and various initiative which has been creating visibility of internet governance.
Founding member of the ISOC Nepal Chapter currently he holds the position of a Life Member. He has been working towards raising awareness about various aspect of internet standardization in Nepal.
Mr. Winston ROBERTS
Wellington, New Zealand - Senior Business Advisor (International), IFLA & National Library of New Zealand (Civil Society)
Winston Roberts is Senior Business Advisor (International) in the Office of the National Librarian, at the National Library of New Zealand (NLNZ) in Wellington. He advises on the Library’s stakeholder relations with overseas peer organisations and international professional bodies. He monitors developments in intellectual property, public access to information, protection of cultural heritage, and ‘information society’ issues, broadly.
He formerly worked for the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) based in The Hague, as the Coordinator of Professional Activities of IFLA from 1990 to 1998. He is currently a member of IFLA’s Regional Standing Committee for Asia-Oceania and various IFLA technical committees.
In 2003 he was a member of the New Zealand government delegation at the UN World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva, and Head of the New Zealand delegation at the second WSIS in Tunis in 2005. Since then, for the National Library, he has continued to monitor ‘information society’ developments at international level, and in particular the global arrangements for governance of the Internet which were set up by the WSIS. In particular, from a public policy perspective, he follows the process towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2030. He is a firm supporter of multistakeholderism.
At the APrIGF meetings from 2013 to 2018, he convened workshops on community access to information. He attended the December 2017 global Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Geneva, on behalf of IFLA and Internet New Zealand.
Mr. Mubashir SARGANA
Pakistan - Chief Technology Officer, Pakistan Information Security Association (PISA) (Civil Society)
Mubashir Sargana is a Cybersecurity Professional. His specialties include Digital Forensics and Incident Handling & Response, with diversified professional experience in relevant domains. Internet Public Policy is an addition to his skill set. He has got sufficient knowledge and grip on local & cross-border Cyber Security matters, including those involving privacy violations & data breaches. He is also volunteering as Member Board of Directors at Internet Society Pakistan Islamabad Chapter, Member Program Committee at Asia Pacific School on Internet Governance (APSIG) and Member Steering Committee at Pakistan School on Internet Governance (pkSIG).
Mr. Hriday Ch. SARMA
India - Founder & Team Coordinator, Center for South Caucasus-South Asia Business Development (Private Sector)
Hriday is a sustainable development professional, with interest in digital technologies and clean energy. He heads a non-partisan organization, Center for South Caucasus-South Asia Business Development (aka Caucasus Asia Center). Other than that, he is associated in official capacities with few organizations, like Fellow with South Asia Democratic Forum (Brussels), Chief Business Strategist with Relex (US engineered company), etc. In the past, he has worked with few reputed organizations, like IDSA (India), INSS (Israel) and CAERC (Azerbaijan).
Ms. Mili SEMLANI
India - Editor, Travel Daily Media (Civil Society)
A media professional Mili works as an Editor at Travel Daily Media and has lived and worked in India, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Singapore. She was an ICANN 63 Fellow in Barcelona. She is currently a member of APRALO and NCUC.
She was also an inSIG 2018 Fellow and APrIGF 2017 Fellow.
She was a Netmission Ambassador in 2013 in Hong Kong and that was her first interaction with the Internet and Communication Technology (ICT) and IG policy space started. She was part of the organising team from Hong Kong that organised over 25 youth from Asia to introduce youth participation at ICANN 49 Singapore and other IG forums. Their efforts led to the formation of the Nextgen@ICANN Programme later.
Since 2013, her involvement has grown as a devoted volunteer and fellow at regional forums, ISOC chapter (Mumbai), yIGF, APrIGF where she is a part of the Member of MSG and Co-chair of Program Committee, IGF, and YCIG (Youth Coalition on Internet Governance).
Mr. Bikram SHRESTHA
Kathmandu, Nepal - Head - Digital Banking, Sanima Bank Ltd (Private Sector)
Bikram has more than 20 years of experience in the ICT industries. Bikram had established a startup ISP when he was just 19 years and has been dedicating to the community since then. As the professional, he is working as Head of Digital Banking of the Sanima Bank Ltd in Nepal. Mr. Shrestha is Immediate Past President of Internet Society Nepal, Co-Chair of Cooperation SIG- APNIC, Treasurer of ITSERT-NP and Executive Member of CAN Federation, Nepal. He is also ICANN fellowship Alumni.
Mr. Santosh SIGDEL
Asia/Nepal - President, Internet Society Nepal (Civil Society)
Advocate Santosh Sigdel holds master's Degree of Laws (LL.M.) in International human rights law from Central European University, Hungary. He also obtained master's Degree of Laws (LL.M.) in Intl. Commercial Law from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. He has worked with several national and international organizations including the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), Article19, Freedom Forum, Citizens Campaign for Right to Information (CCRI). He is also a member of International Media Lawyers Association (IMLA) and visiting faculty of Kathmandu University. He has been involved in a number of studies and research relating to internet and internet freedom. He has been serving as the President of Internet Society Nepal.
Mr. Rajnesh SINGH
Singapore - Chief, Asia-Pacific Bureau, Internet Society (Technical Community)
Rajnesh Singh is Chief of the Asia-Pacific Regional Bureau at the Internet Society, the world's trusted independent source of leadership for Internet policy, technology standards, and future development.
In this role, he oversees projects, initiatives and activities across the Asia and Pacific region, including in the areas of Public Policy, Capacity Building, Development and Internet Standards & Technology.
Prior to joining the Internet Society, Rajnesh played founding and leading roles in several technology and private equity investment firms, and still maintains varied business interests. He has broad project management experience, and his career background includes communications & power infrastructure, agriculture and real estate. He has provided consulting and mentoring support on business strategy to start-ups and SMEs in the Asia-Pacific region, and has held advisory roles across multiple sectors ranging from governmental organisations to sporting organisations and the private sector.
His extensive work with the Asia-Pacific Internet community includes leadership roles such as Founding Chair of ICANN's Asia Pacific Regional At-Large Organisation (APRALO) and Chair of the APrIGF MSG. He has worked extensively on ICT policy, training and capacity building in the region, including delivering programmes for UN agencies and the private sector.
Mr. Chester SOONG
Hong Kong - Director, ISOC Hong Kong (Civil Society)
Chester has been in the Internet and information security services for over 20 years, and focused on personal data and privacy protection for the past 5 years. He has worked for the Data Protection Agency of HKSAR Government and headed the Compliance and Policy Division back then. He has been a member of the MSG of APrIGF since 2014 and vice-chair of the MSG between 2014-2018.
Mr. Arun SUKUMAR
New Delhi - Head, Cyber Initiative, Observer Research Foundation (Civil Society)
Lawyer by training. Heads the Cyber Security and Internet Governance Initiative, ORF. Co-Chair, CyFy: The India Conference on Cyber Security and Internet Governance. Elected Vice-Chair, Asia-Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum (2015-17). Served as an independent legal expert to the UN GGE, the intergovernmental forum tasked with conceiving cyber norms. Former non-governmental representative, India's official delegation to the Tallinn Manual consultations to articulate laws of armed conflict in cyberspace. Member, Global Future Council on the Digital Economy and Society, World Economic Forum.
Mr. Zakir SYED
Pakistan - Independent Consultant, Independent (Civil Society)
Zakir Syed is an ICT for development, ICT for education, technology strategy and research professional having in depth knowledge of emerging technologies and innovation, policy, regulations and latest trends in the role of ICTs in different sectors. With over 10 years of experience in the ICTs, professional services, research, public policy and training industry at different organizations, he has been working as consultant and advisor with a number of organizations. At present, he is associated with a number of for-profit and non-profit organizations on different strategic positions working towards achieving the macro organizational goals. Zakir has contributed to a number of high-level studies on international level with different organizations including the SAMENA Telecommunications Council, ITU/UN, ICANN, ISOC, among others.
Twice selected as ICANN fellow from Pakistan, Zakir was recently a mentor/coach as part of the fellowship program at ICANN52 in Singapore, Zakir is also an alumnus of ISOC's NGL program and has in-depth knowledge of the policy issues in the regional Internet landscape. By training, Zakir is a Software Engineer having done his BSE (Hons) from City University in Pakistan.
Ms. Szeming TAN
Malaysia - Digital Integrity Fellow, Open Tech Fund (Civil Society)
Current OTF Fellow with broad experience in managing, developing and implementing innovative development programmes for government, and civil society, that directly or indirectly involve digital technologies with limited resources in politically or technically constrained environments.
Multidisciplinary skills, cross-practice knowledge and experience working on human rights, environmental issues, government development policy, government transparency, trade agreement and digital rights in Asia-Pacific.
Currently focusing on building digital security capacity (from within) for civil society organisations, including security auditing, emergency response; developing organisation's security policy and risk reduction plans.
Mr. Sujan THAPA
Nepal - Director - Technology & Operations, Broadlink Network & Communication Pvt. Ltd. (Technical Community)
I am working as Director for Operations and Technology in Broadlink Network and Communications Pvt. Ltd.
From last 16 years with leadership role I have worked for the continued development of Internet technologies and infrastructure.
I have actively engaged in various research & development of internet technologies and services. Also provided professional consulting services to same industry with adaptation of right technologies for delivery quality internet services.
COO/CTO – Sky Cable TV Pvd. Ltd.
CTO – Websurfer Nepal Communication Network Pvt. Ltd.
Sr. Network & System Engineer – Subisu Cablenet Pvt. Ltd.
I have assist in organizing various programs, work as a resource person and create a network of IT professionals in Nepal to boost learning and development. I am regular contributor for the development of the internet technology by providing insights into policy making in the country.
Furthermore, I am member of program committee of Nepal IGF for managing Nepal IGF 2019, whereas I participated in APrIGF 2019, as speaker.
Mr. Leonid TODOROV
Asia Pacific - General Manager, APTLD (Technical Community)
Leonid Todorov earned his M.A. in Linguistics from Moscow State Pedagogical and did postgraduate studies in international relations, management and business leadership, and economics in Denmark, Taiwan and US. Since the onset of the Russian reforms, he served for more than a decade as Chief of Staff to late PM Yegor Gaidar. His background also includes private sector and academic activities.
In 2008, he joined the Сoordination Сenter for .RU top level domain as Head of Government and International Relations and contributed to the successful launch of the Cyrillic-script IDN ccTLD .РФ and the launch of new gTLDs . ДЕТИ (kids) and .TATAR.
In February 2015, he was appointed as General Manager of the Asia Pacific Top Level Domain Association (APTLD).
As a member of the RIGF Organizing Committee, Leonid has also been engaged in creation and promotion of the Russian Internet Governance Forum, the biggest event of its kind across Eastern and Central Europe and the post-Soviet Space. He also sits on the Multistakeholder Steering Group of the Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum (APrIGF). In 2013-2014, he sat on the ISOC Advisory Business Council and currently is a member of the CCNSO ICANN’s Strategic and Operations Plan Council and observer at the CCNSO Council.
Leonid is a faculty member of the European Summer School on Internet Governance.
Leonid’s focus is on ccTLDs’ operation, Internet governance, new gTLDs, public policy and international cooperation in the ICT area, and cybersecurity. He has authored and coauthored a number of publications on these issues, and presented at various national and international events.
Mr. Paul WILSON
AU - Director General, APNIC (Technical Community)
Head of APNIC since 1998. Paul Wilson has over twenty years' involvement with the Internet, including 12 years' service as Director General of APNIC, one of five Regional Internet Registries (RIRs), responsible for the distribution and management of IP addresses and related critical Internet resources for the Asia-Pacific region.
In his current role, Paul represents the activities and interests of the Asia Pacific Internet community in local and global forums related to the technical development and management of the Internet. As a non-profit body within the Internet technical community, the role and importance of APNIC is well-known.
Prior to joining APNIC, Paul accumulated over ten years experience in the Internet industry, including work with business, civil society and technical sector organisations.
From 1989, Paul helped establish the first independent ISP in Australia, serving from 1992 to 1997 as CEO. During this time, he helped establish the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), and served as an APC Council and Executive Board member.
Also during the 1990s Paul undertook work on ICT projects for UN and other international agencies. In 1992, he joined the APC technical team providing Internet services to the Rio Earth Summit. From 1994, he helped establish IDRC's Pan Asia Networking (PAN) Program, which introduced and developed Internet services in many developing Asian economies. He continued work on PAN projects in countries including Mongolia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, PNG, and China; and on similar activities in several countries of Latin America.
Paul is today a highly experienced and respected member of the global Internet community, with a record of service on boards and committees of groups including: Asia Pacific Internet Association (APIA), Asia Pacific Networking Group (APNG), Information Society Innovation Fund (ISIF), Number Resource Organization (NRO), Internet Society (ISOC) Advisory Committee, DotAsia Organisation (.Asia) Advisory Committee, and Association for Progressive Communications (APC).
Mr. Kuo Wei WU
Taiwan - Board member, Chunghwa Telcom (Technical Community)
Received a bachelor degree in mathematics from Tunghai University in 1975. Received a master degree from department of mathematical science of university of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. Then graduated from Department of Computer Science of Columbia University, NYC, USA. Taught at Kentucky Wesleyan College for two years. Worked for Cray Reserach, Inc. (Medota Height, Minnesota) and Mulitiglow Computer Corporation (Branford, Connecticut). Back to Taiwan in 199, to serve as the deputy director of national supercomputer center. Then worked for Yam Digital Corporation, at the same time, served as one of the APNIC ECs. Then worked as a VP of Acer, Inc. at 2004, worked as the CEO of NIIEPA. At 2009, served as one of the board members of PIR. From 2010 to 2016, served as one of ICANN board members. At 2016, served as one of the board members of Chunghwa Telcom.
Mr. Shah ZAHIDUR RAHMAN
Bangladesh - Lead Enterprise Solution Specialist, Augere (Technical Community)
Shah Zahidur Rahman is an active member of Internet Society Bangladesh Chapter. Since his participation, he is playing active role for the chapter development and contributing support in local events management. However Shah is First bdSIG Fellow and since 2016 he is working in bdSIG program committee. He has continuous playing vital role for arranging bdSIG every year, its course development and methodology to keep align with APSIG. Beside that he is member of Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum (BIGF) and having continuous participation in UN Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum Consultation. He also individual member of ICANN-NCSG/NCUC.
Shah is former fellow of IETF, APSIG, APAN, APrIGF and has contributed several workshop organization for those meting as well as session Speaker. Also he is AprIGF 2019 drafting committee member and has playing active role in preparing “Synthesis Document” input and have volunteering in Emerging technology and society. He has extensive knowledge on Internet Governance process and its development and application of shared principles, norms, rules, decision-making procedures, and programs that shape the evolution and use of the Internet. He actively participate in the national, regional best practices and policy recommendations, and how to collaborate with other stockholders.
Shah has completed his bachelor degree in Computer Science & Engineering from American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) and have many other technical course certification. He has extensive knowledge on Internet Technology, Enterprise Solutions, Big Data and AI. In his professional experience he had lead Implementing internet 4G nationwide. Also he had worked on both CDMA and GSM technologies. During his professional tenure he had lead several IT-ITES and ICT4D projects and currently also involve in technology business consultancy for SME and Start-up company.