On 29 July 2025, Mar Baselios College of Engineering and Technology (MBCET) in Thiruvananthapuram hosted one of the most enriching editions of the AIORI Regional Faculty Workshop. The event successfully advanced its mission of strengthening capabilities in Internet Engineering, open standards, and digital technologies, with enthusiastic participation from students and faculty. The day began with a strong emphasis on preparing young engineers to understand and contribute to the future of internet architecture and digital policy, aligning participants with the purpose of empowering future innovators.
The first major session featured an insightful presentation on AIORI & Internet Engineering delivered by Mr. Anand Raje (Chair, Internet Society – India Kolkata Chapter). His discussion opened up a deep understanding of the internet’s foundation—covering topics such as DNS management, routing protocols, internet scalability, and the vital need for indigenous expertise in these core areas. Mr. Raje’s ability to simplify complex engineering principles captivated the students and sparked a deeper interest in Internet Infrastructure technologies. Following this, the workshop transitioned into an equally engaging session led by Mr. Anupam Agrawal (Chair IIFON), revolving around the “AIORI Ambassadors initiative” and the dynamic opportunities available for students to participate in national hackathons, research sprints, and innovation drives. He highlighted how the program nurtures future leaders by giving them hands-on exposure to solving real technical challenges and fostering a spirit of collaboration.
The workshop then moved into an important segment that focused on the collaborative roles played by various stakeholders, including government bodies, research foundations, and technology nonprofits, in strengthening the nation’s digital infrastructure. Students gained clarity on how collective participation drives innovation, bridging technical research and public policy. Another valuable part of the workshop highlighted the efforts of MeitY & NIXI, introducing students to nationwide initiatives that promote improved routing mechanisms and high-quality connectivity solutions. This segment encouraged students to understand how national digital policies intersect with engineering principles and technical standardization.
As the workshop progressed, the audience was introduced to the “AIORI Anchors initiative” through an interactive demonstration by Mr. Anand Raje. This highly appreciated session exposed participants to the practical capabilities of AIORI’s technology platforms, exploring real-time data processing, network simulations, and engineering tools that students could leverage in their academic projects . The momentum continued with an insightful session dedicated to the workings of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). The speaker walked the participants through the process of how global internet standards are drafted, reviewed, and adopted, encouraging them to actively participate in global technical communities and begin their journey in standardization-driven engineering.
The closing session featured reflections, acknowledgments, and certificate distribution, concluding with strong enthusiasm for future collaborations. The Trivandrum workshop successfully combined technical knowledge, governance insight, and hands-on demonstration. As an Associate Partner, Internet Society – India Kolkata Chapter played a crucial role in the success of the Trivandrum workshop. Our involvement, guided by the Internet Society’s mission to advance open development and use of the Internet, enhanced the quality of content delivery, strengthened the logistical execution, and enabled a seamless learning environment for every attendee. The event reinforced AIORI’s mission of empowering the next generation of engineers to build and sustain a robust digital future for the nation.
