A Digital Bridge Across Asia - Connecting 24 countries to Europe's research and education networks, fostering innovation and sustainable development across the region.
Explore Our ImpactThe programme's vision was to build an inclusive, digitally capable research and education community across Asia. That meant closing persistent gaps in connectivity, skills, and access to digital services, especially for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Lower-Middle Income Countries (LMICs).
Operate a world-class transcontinental network for research and education that reliably links Asia with Europe.
Strengthen human and institutional capacity, with priority support to developing NRENs that need skills, tools, and operating practices to thrive.
Support applications and services with public benefit, aligned with national needs and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This report chronicles the vision, execution, and lasting impact of Asi@Connect — a groundbreaking initiative that connected research and education networks across Asia and linked them to Europe's digital infrastructure. Through strategic investments in infrastructure, people, and practical applications, the programme has transformed the digital landscape for millions.
Building an inclusive, digitally capable research and education community across Asia through enhanced connectivity, capacity building, and sustainable development aligned with UN SDGs.
Network capacity grew 8.7× from 107 Gbps to 926 Gbps. Over 26,000 people trained across 17,000+ institutions, with 95 sub-granted projects reaching 70 million end users.
A three-pillar approach combining Infrastructure (TEIN backbone), People (capacity development), and Use-cases (sub-grants for real-world applications).
Six complementary work packages covering network procurement, capacity building, advanced services, community building, societal innovation, and digital divide bridging.
Real impact stories from Bhutan's remote colleges, Bangladesh's women in cybersecurity, Pakistan's telemedicine, Vietnam's research data, and Nepal's 22× bandwidth increase.
Key themes include regional cooperation, open standards, train-the-trainer models, gender inclusion, environmental monitoring, and alignment with Sustainable Development Goals.
National Research and Education Networks evolved into critical national infrastructure, supporting not just academia but healthcare, government, and cultural institutions.
Competitive sub-grants funded 95 innovative projects across health, education, environment, and cybersecurity, creating lasting impact through bottom-up innovation.
Multi-level training programs using train-the-trainer approaches ensured knowledge transfer sustainability, empowering local experts to lead future development.
Despite pandemics, natural disasters, and political uncertainty, the network proved resilient through regional redundancy, communities of practice, and local ownership.
Key learnings include the importance of local ownership, flexible implementation, peer-to-peer learning, and balancing central coordination with regional autonomy.
Future priorities include sustaining achievements, expanding to underserved regions, enhancing cybersecurity, and supporting emerging technologies like AI and IoT.
The Asi@Connect approach offers a replicable blueprint for other regions seeking to build inclusive digital infrastructure through partnership and shared investment.
This report synthesizes nine years of programme data, case studies, and stakeholder testimonials to document achievements and share insights for future initiatives.
Asi@Connect represents the culmination of decades of Asia-Europe collaboration in research and education networking. Building on the legacy of previous TEIN phases, this initiative brought together stakeholders from across two continents to create lasting digital infrastructure.
Launched in 2016 as the fifth phase of the Trans-Eurasia Information Network (TEIN) initiative, Asi@Connect built upon two decades of successful Asia-Europe cooperation. The programme addressed persistent digital divides by establishing high-capacity networks connecting 24 countries, with special focus on supporting Least Developed Countries and Lower-Middle Income Countries through targeted capacity building and infrastructure investments.
The project operated under a sophisticated governance structure led by TEIN*CC as coordinator, with DANTE managing technical operations. A Steering Committee comprising EU and Asian representatives provided strategic oversight, while 24 National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) formed the implementation backbone. This multi-stakeholder model ensured regional ownership and sustainability while maintaining coordination with European networks through GÉANT.
Implementation was organized into six complementary Work Packages: WP1 focused on network procurement and management; WP2 on capacity development for emerging NRENs; WP3 on advanced services deployment; WP4 on applications and community building; WP5 on innovation for societal benefit; and WP6 on bridging the digital divide. This structure allowed specialized teams to deliver coordinated results while maintaining flexibility to respond to local needs.
A competitive sub-granting mechanism channeled €11.2 million to 95 projects across the region through six open calls. Proposals underwent rigorous evaluation considering technical merit, regional impact, sustainability, and alignment with programme objectives. This bottom-up innovation approach empowered local institutions to address context-specific challenges while fostering cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange among research and education communities.
Over nine years, Asi@Connect delivered transformative results across technical infrastructure, human capacity, gender equality, innovative applications, and sustainable development. The programme's impact extended far beyond connectivity metrics to fundamentally reshape how Asian research and education institutions collaborate regionally and globally.
Network capacity exploded from 107 Gbps to 926 Gbps—an 8.7× increase that fundamentally changed what was possible. Nepal's connection jumped 22× from 45 Mbps to 1 Gbps. Bangladesh grew 50× to 5 Gbps. The Asia-Pacific-Europe Ring established redundant 100G links, while 24 countries gained reliable connectivity to global research networks. Emerging NRENs in Bhutan, Laos, and Myanmar matured into sustainable organizations serving their national research communities.
Over 26,000 individuals across 17,000+ institutions received training through 412 workshops, seminars, and technical exchanges. The TechGirl programme specifically addressed gender gaps by training young women in network engineering and cybersecurity. Train-the-trainer approaches multiplied impact, with graduates conducting peer training in neighboring countries. Regular Network Operations Centre workshops, engineering boot camps, and leadership development programs built sustainable expertise that outlasted project funding.
Beyond the numbers, Asi@Connect championed inclusion as a core principle. The TechGirl programme trained women from underrepresented communities, many becoming trainers themselves. Project calls explicitly encouraged proposals addressing gender equality concerns. Women's participation in ICT sectors increased measurably in participating countries, while awareness grew among NREN leaders about the importance of diverse technical teams for innovation and sustainability.
Sub-granted projects delivered tangible societal benefits. Telemedicine networks connected rural clinics with specialist centers, improving healthcare access for underserved populations. E-learning platforms enabled remote education during pandemic lockdowns, while digital libraries provided research access to isolated campuses. Environmental monitoring systems tracked air quality, deforestation, and disaster risks, feeding critical data to policymakers. These applications demonstrated the network's value beyond academic exchange.
The 95 sub-granted projects spanned diverse themes: 24 focused on network infrastructure and services; 23 on e-learning and digital education; 18 on e-health and telemedicine; 15 on environmental monitoring and climate action; 10 on cultural heritage preservation; and 5 on agricultural technology. Projects achieved significant regional distribution, with emphasis on LDCs. South-South collaboration flourished as institutions in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan partnered on shared challenges.
Every activity contributed to multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals. The programme directly advanced SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) through network deployment; SDG 4 (Quality Education) via e-learning platforms; SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through telemedicine; SDG 5 (Gender Equality) via targeted training; SDG 13 (Climate Action) through environmental monitoring; SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by connecting underserved regions; and SDG 17 (Partnerships) through fostering international research collaboration.
Focused on establishing and maintaining core backbone connectivity. Absorbed ~45% of the project budget, reflecting the priority of continuously enhancing the e-infrastructure. TEIN*CC managed WP1 centrally, negotiating capacity contracts that dramatically lowered unit bandwidth costs for partners.
Strengthened human and organizational capacity of NRENs in Least Developed and Lower-Middle Income countries through training programs, workshops, and staff exchanges.
Designed new R&E network architectures and introduced advanced services alongside higher-level technical training.
Deployed specialized network applications and fostered user communities around collaboration tools and platforms.
Promoted research and education collaborations that directly benefit society, especially in health, agriculture, environment, and culture.
Extended internet access to underserved rural and remote areas in developing countries, reducing connectivity inequities.
The programme spanned years of rapid change and significant shocks. Partners dealt with pandemics, natural disasters, and periods of political uncertainty. Even so, services grew and collaborations deepened. Several factors explain this resilience:
Shared operations reduced service disruption and allowed traffic to be rerouted when needed.
Established networks kept training and collaboration alive online when travel stopped.
Common tools meant solutions built in one country could be reused in another with minimal friction.
When projects proved helpful, teams found ways to keep them going, even in lean times.
"We used to wait weeks for access to essential research articles. Today, with just a click, we connect with scientists across Asia and Europe in real time." — Project Beneficiary, Kathmandu University, Nepal
As Asi@Connect concludes, its legacy extends far beyond the immediate technical achievements. The programme has fundamentally reshaped how research and education institutions across Asia connect, collaborate, and contribute to global knowledge creation. Looking forward, the foundations laid here will support continued growth and innovation.
The programme's greatest achievement may be its sustainability model. By prioritizing local ownership, capacity building, and institutional strengthening, Asi@Connect ensured that benefits outlast project funding. NRENs that were nascent organizations in 2016 now operate as mature, self-sustaining entities serving their national research communities. The sub-granted projects created lasting infrastructure and trained personnel who continue advancing their missions. Regional cooperation mechanisms—peer networks, knowledge-sharing platforms, and collaborative governance structures—remain active, enabling continued South-South exchange. Most importantly, the programme demonstrated that bridging digital divides requires more than infrastructure; it demands sustained investment in people, institutions, and partnerships that empower communities to chart their own digital futures.
While Asi@Connect formally concludes, the partnerships and momentum it generated continue. Many participating NRENs have secured national government support to maintain and expand their networks. Regional working groups in cybersecurity, federated identity, and research data management persist as active communities. The European Commission and Asian governments are exploring successor programmes building on proven models. Key priorities for the future include: expanding coverage to remaining unconnected institutions and underserved regions; enhancing cybersecurity capabilities as threats evolve; supporting emerging technologies like AI, IoT, and edge computing; strengthening research data infrastructure for open science; and deepening integration with global research networks. The relationships, trust, and shared practices developed through Asi@Connect provide a strong foundation for continued Asia-Europe collaboration in research and education networking.
This comprehensive volume would not be possible without the contributions of countless individuals and organizations. We extend our deepest gratitude to:
For funding and strategic guidance that made this transformative programme possible
For exemplary programme coordination and technical operations management
For technical expertise and seamless connectivity to European research networks
For dedication, innovation, and tireless work serving research and education communities
For creative applications addressing real societal challenges across the region
Trainers, trainees, researchers, administrators, and champions who brought this vision to life
National Research and Education Network - A specialized network serving the research, education, and innovation community of a country
Trans-Eurasia Information Network - The Asia-Europe research network connecting participating countries
education roaming - Secure Wi-Fi roaming service allowing researchers and students to access internet at participating institutions worldwide
Least Developed Country - UN classification for countries facing severe structural impediments to sustainable development
Lower-Middle Income Country - World Bank classification for countries with specific GNI per capita ranges
Sustainable Development Goals - UN's 17 global goals for achieving sustainable development by 2030
Gigabits per second - Unit measuring network data transfer speed (1 Gbps = 1,000 Mbps)
System allowing users to access multiple services with single institutional credentials through trusted authentication
Network Operations Centre - Centralized facility monitoring, managing, and maintaining network infrastructure
Direct interconnection between networks enabling efficient data exchange without intermediary transit providers
Network architecture designed to handle high-volume scientific data transfers with minimal security-related performance impacts
Organized grouping of project activities with defined objectives, deliverables, and responsible partners
Procurement and operation of the TEIN backbone, resilient routing, international transit, and introduction of common services like IPv6, eduroam, and federated identity.
Multi-level capacity development for NREN staff, campus IT teams, researchers, and educators, including train-the-trainer approaches to grow local expertise.
Sub-grants funding practical applications in telemedicine, e-learning, environmental monitoring, cybersecurity, and smart agriculture that make the network matter to communities.
Good Health & Well-being through telemedicine and health research collaboration
Quality Education via e-learning platforms and digital library access
Gender Equality through women-focused ICT training programs
Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure through high-capacity R&E networks
Reduced Inequalities by connecting rural and underserved communities
Climate Action through environmental monitoring and data sharing
Partnerships for Goals via Asia-Europe cooperation model
Asi@Connect officially started as the fifth phase of TEIN initiative, building on decades of Asia-Europe R&E networking cooperation.
Launched competitive sub-granting mechanism with 12 approved projects focusing on eduroam deployment and telehealth pilots.
Established Asia-Pacific Europe Ring (AER) with 100 Gbps capacity, dramatically improving network resilience and speed.
Network proved crucial for remote learning and telemedicine during COVID-19, with 3x increase in traffic volume.
Successfully delivered on all objectives with lasting impact on regional R&E networking and sustainable development.