On 28 July 2025, Christ University, Bengaluru, hosted a highly impactful AIORI Regional Faculty Workshop, marking a significant milestone in strengthening the digital infrastructure and fostering the next generation of innovators. The event successfully brought together students, academicians, and technology leaders for a day enriched with learning, dialogue, and hands-on insights into Internet Standards and engineering, showcasing AIORI’s unwavering commitment to empowering young minds. The day began with a strong atmosphere of energy and anticipation, with the host institution offering a warm welcome and stressing the importance of collaborative research, community-driven technology adoption, and the role of academia in promoting high-quality technical education. Christ University reinforced its reputation as a leading center for knowledge exchange and innovation.The first major segment was the Technical Session, “AIORI & Internet Engineering,” led by Mr. Anand Raje (Chair, Internet Society – India Kolkata Chapter). His session offered a deep dive into the backbone of modern internet infrastructure, covering critical topics such as DNS operations, network protocols, future-ready architectures, and the significance of indigenous technological capabilities. Mr. Raje’s masterful explanation of how AIORI’s initiatives are supporting research, standardization, and capacity-building across the country inspired the audience to contribute meaningfully. Following this, the engaging session on “AIORI Ambassadors” was delivered by Mr. Anupam Agrawal (Chair IIFON). He offered students a unique perspective on participating in national-level hackathons, research sprints, and community-driven workshops, positioning students as knowledge carriers who create impact by promoting awareness about internet standards and open-source collaboration.The workshop advanced with a thoughtful segment emphasizing the vital role that public institutions, technology foundations, and research bodies play in building an accessible and secure internet, reinforcing that internet engineering is a coordinated national effort. A key session focused on MeitY & NIXI, highlighting the ongoing mission to strengthen internet governance and enhance the reliability of nationwide services, bridging the gap between governance and engineering by offering valuable insight into how policy and technical leadership drive large-scale digital transformation.As the workshop progressed, participants were introduced to the “AIORI Anchors program”—another flagship initiative championed by Mr. Anand Raje. This demonstration showcased the powerful capabilities of AIORI’s platforms and tools, allowing students to witness firsthand how AIORI Anchors empower researchers and learners to engage with real data, implement custom solutions, and contribute directly to digital innovation momentum. The following segment was dedicated to the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), providing participants with an excellent understanding of how global open standards are created, proposed, and debated. Students were actively encouraged to explore IETF working groups and contributions, positioning the workshop as a gateway to engaging with global internet governance communities and influencing how the internet evolves.The workshop concluded with a meaningful closing session, featuring expressions of gratitude and certificate distribution. The event successfully educated and inspired students to take active roles in shaping the internet of tomorrow. A special note of appreciation must be extended to the Associate Partner, Internet Society – India Kolkata Chapter. Our involvement, guided by the Internet Society’s mission to advance open development and use of the Internet, played a crucial role in making this workshop a success. Our contribution strengthened the collaborative spirit of the event and reinforced the shared vision of building a digitally powerful ecosystem through education, innovation, and community engagement. The AIORI Workshop at Christ University, Bengaluru, stands as a testament to what can be achieved when academia, industry, and governance come together with a common goal, paving the way for a brighter, more secure, and technologically advanced digital future.
