On 1 August 2025, Assam Don Bosco University in Guwahati hosted a landmark AIORI Regional Faculty Workshop, establishing a significant presence in the northeastern chapter of the National Workshop Series. The event successfully delivered its vision of strengthening Internet Engineering, open technical standards, and AI-driven innovation in a region recognized for its growing technical talent. The day commenced with a thoughtful welcome, emphasizing that understanding Internet Infrastructure and the global ecosystem is essential for students aspiring to contribute to the rapidly evolving tech landscape.The first major session featured the highly respected Mr. Anand Raje (Chair, Internet Society – India Kolkata Chapter). His thought-provoking session on AIORI & Internet Engineering captivated the room, walking students through critical concepts such as DNS systems, routing pathways, and the broader engineering architecture that maintains seamless internet functioning. His message highlighted the importance of cultivating internal capacity rather than relying solely on global infrastructure, opening the eyes of many students to the universe of engineering challenges beneath everyday online activities.Following this, the workshop transitioned into a dynamic and energizing interaction led by Mr. Anupam Agrawal (Chair IIFON) focusing on the “AIORI Ambassadors initiative”. He introduced the pathways through which students can participate in national forums, hackathons, and innovation challenges, emphasizing how the hackathon ecosystem is structured for practical skill-sharpening. The session successfully motivated students to participate more actively in AIORI’s future activities.The workshop then moved into an enlightening section focusing on the role of various stakeholders, exploring how government agencies, research bodies, and academic institutions collaboratively strengthen India’s digital resilience. This reinforced the crucial idea that students are not passive learners but essential contributors. A particularly insightful session followed, highlighting the efforts of MeitY & NIXI. This exposure helped attendees connect the technical elements of Internet Engineering with national priorities and public initiatives, specifically those aimed at expanding internet accessibility and improving routing efficiency. One of the highlights of the day unfolded through the “AIORI Anchors session”, led again by Mr. Anand Raje. This demonstration brought technology to life, showcasing the tools, platforms, analytics, and engineering models used within the AIORI framework. The session was widely appreciated for its hands-on nature, which made advanced technical concepts exciting and highly practical. The momentum continued with an engaging introduction to the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), illustrating the value of open, collaborative engineering communities and showing how young professionals can contribute to global standard-setting. The closing session celebrated the efforts of participants, and the Guwahati workshop proudly stands as an embodiment of AIORI’s mission to extend deep technical awareness and Internet Engineering literacy to the Northeast. A special note of sincere appreciation goes 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, significantly contributed to the success of the Guwahati workshop. Our collaboration strengthened the event’s execution, enhanced the learning experience, and contributed greatly to the workshop’s positive impact on the participants. The event reinforced AIORI’s belief that talent exists everywhere and that students from all parts of the country can emerge as strong contributors to the digital future.
