Wed. Feb 19th, 2025

Why NRENs Matter: 35 Years of LEARN Enabling the Digital Transformation of Academia

In December 2024, the Lanka Education and Research Network (LEARN) celebrated a monumental milestone: 35 years since its inception and 15 years since its establishment as a company limited by guarantee. These anniversaries reflect not only the passage of time but the enduring relevance of LEARN as a critical enabler of academic and research excellence in Sri Lanka. “LEARN’s journey is a testament to vision and resilience—a story of adapting to change while staying true to our purpose: connecting minds, enabling knowledge, and empowering Sri Lanka’s education and research community,” said Prof. Roshan Ragel, CEO of LEARN, during his celebratory speech.

From its beginnings as a pioneering idea in 1989 to becoming the backbone of Sri Lanka’s academic connectivity, LEARN has consistently evolved to meet the changing demands of education and research. This evolution underscores the organization’s unwavering commitment to innovation, equity, and collaboration—principles that remain as vital today as they were at its founding. This article explores how LEARN’s transformative journey over the past 35 years demonstrates the indispensable role of an NREN in fostering academic progress, bridging digital divides, and shaping the future of higher education in Sri Lanka and beyond.

The Origins of LEARN

In 1989, Sri Lanka faced a stark challenge: connecting its academic community to the global knowledge network when digital connectivity was virtually nonexistent. This challenge inspired a bold vision led by Prof. Abhaya Induruwa, a pioneering academic who believed in the transformative potential of networked computing. Submitting a proposal to the University Grants Commission and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science & Technology, Prof. Induruwa envisioned a platform that would connect universities across Sri Lanka and enable them to share knowledge, collaborate, and advance research on a global scale.

The vision took its first tangible step in 1990 by establishing Sri Lanka’s first email server at the University of Moratuwa. While modest by today’s standards, this milestone marked the opening of Sri Lanka’s academic community to the possibilities of global digital connectivity. Over the next few years, progress accelerated. By 1994, LEARN had connected three universities via 64kbps radio links—the first network in Sri Lanka. By 1996, it achieved a significant milestone: a permanent global internet connection provided by Sri Lanka Telecom.

The story of LEARN’s early days is one of perseverance against significant obstacles. Limited infrastructure, resource constraints, and the need to convince stakeholders of the project’s importance were just some hurdles. Yet, these challenges underscored the importance of an NREN in bridging connectivity gaps and empowering academic institutions to thrive in a rapidly changing world. “From that humble start, Sri Lanka’s first internet connection was born under LEARN’s initiative,” noted Prof.  Ragel. “For the first time, Sri Lankan academics could engage with peers beyond borders, sharing ideas and research at a pace never seen before.” 

Growth and Transformation: From Idea to Institution

Prof. Roshan Ragel – CEO of LEARN speaking at the 35th anniversary celebrations

By the 2000s, LEARN’s role as a facilitator of connectivity had become indispensable to academia in Sri Lanka. Recognizing the need for greater scalability and structure to meet growing demands, LEARN transitioned into a company limited by guarantee in 2009. Operating under the University Grants Commission (UGC) with leadership representing its member institutions, this transformation was a pivotal milestone, formalizing LEARN’s operations and enabling it to expand its services to meet the evolving needs of the higher education and research community.

With this transition, LEARN introduced a suite of advanced services that significantly enhanced the digital capabilities of its member institutions. The introduction of IPv6-enabled, high-speed backbone connectivity marked a transformative leap, with bandwidth ranging from 300 Mbps to 2 Gbps. Complementary services like eduroam, Federated Identity Access, and video conferencing became integral to Sri Lanka’s academic ecosystem, facilitating seamless international collaboration and breaking geographical barriers.

Today, LEARN’s impactful contributions quietly and consistently support the academic ecosystem, powering essential academic activities such as virtual classrooms, research uploads, and global collaborations. This understated role came to the forefront during critical moments like the COVID-19 pandemic when LEARN’s provision of 12,000 Zoom accounts ensured the continuity of education, valued at over $1 million annually at commercial rates, this service underscored LEARN’s indispensable role in supporting the education sector during unprecedented challenges.

The Positive Impact of LEARN Within and Beyond Sri Lanka

Dr. Asitha Bandaranayake – CTO of LEARN speaking at the 35th anniversary celebrations

Following Prof. Ragel’s inspiring address at LEARN’s 35th-anniversary celebrations, the organization’s Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Asitha Bandaranayake, took the stage to shed light on LEARN’s current suite of services and their transformative impact. Highlighting LEARN’s evolution beyond merely offering connectivity, Dr. Bandaranayake emphasized how the organization has become an enabler of digital transformation for Sri Lankan academia. His presentation showcased how LEARN’s innovative tools and services empower institutions to thrive in an increasingly digital world, drawing parallels to LEARN’s origins, where its introduction allowed academia to embrace the internet and its transformative benefits.

The Positive Impact of LEARN on Sri Lankan Academia

At the 35th anniversary celebrations, an MoU was formally signed between LEARN, Huawei, and OREL IT to offer cloud solutions to member institutions, which is amongst the newest services the NREN is offering its members. 

After Dr. Bandaranyake’s presentation, an MoU was signed between LEARN, Huawei, and OREL IT to deliver innovative cloud solutions and enhanced learning management systems to member institutions. The signing highlighted how LEARN now offers a wide range of services that extend beyond basic connectivity, addressing the evolving needs of the academic and research community. From access to the academic internet to providing advanced digital tools like eduroam, Zoom for virtual collaboration, and identity management solutions eduID, its services empower undergraduates, researchers, and entire institutions to innovate and excel. LEARN also enables seamless cooperation between local and global academic communities through its high-speed networks and partnerships with international research networks such as GÉANT and Asi@Connect​. 

Collectively, these services empower Sri Lankan academics across different disciplines. One notable example of LEARN’s impact is in the work of the Director of the Agricultural Biotechnology Centre at the University of Peradeniya, Prof. Pradeepa Bandaranayake. This research relies on LEARN’s dedicated 2Gbps fiber connectivity. This support enables her team to handle large-scale DNA analysis and collaborate with global institutions like Pennsylvania State University on critical projects, such as elephant DNA fingerprinting. Similarly, the story of Prof. K. P. Hewagamage, a pioneer in online learning and past Director at LEARN representing the University of Colombo, underscores the transformative power of LEARN’s services. His work integrating e-learning systems underscores how LEARN’s infrastructure ensured uninterrupted learning for students across Sri Lanka, showcasing its vital role in academia.

Regional Leadership: Advancing Innovation Across Asia-Pacific

LEARN’s influence extends far beyond Sri Lanka, establishing itself as a leader in regional initiatives that foster collaboration, innovation, and capacity building across the Asia-Pacific region. Over the years, through active participation and leadership roles in several major initiatives, LEARN has become a key enabler of regional development, ensuring that advancements in technology and education benefit the entire region. 

Prof. Ragel and Dr. Bandaranayake represented Sri Lanka at the 16th Asi@Connect Meeting in key leadership roles.

A significant example is the Asi@Connect Project, which provides high-capacity internet connectivity to research and education communities across the Asia-Pacific region. Operating at speeds of up to 100 Gbps, this project connects universities and research centres in 21 countries, facilitating collaboration in fields such as Earth observation, disaster management, climate research, and e-learning. LEARN plays a pivotal role in representing Sri Lanka, with its CEO, Prof. Ragel, serving as the Chair of the Asi@Connect Steering Committee to provide technical guidance, while its CTO, Dr. Bandaranayake, represents Sri Lanka among the Asi@Connect Governors. Together, they contribute to shaping and overseeing collaborative activities, ensuring the project continues to drive innovation and connectivity.

Scenes from the REN Leaders Forum at APAN58, which was initiated by LEARN, and now serves as a forum where REN leaders across the APAC region can gather to discuss shared opportunities and challenges

LEARN’s regional leadership is evident through its active involvement in the Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN). As the host of the APAN56 meeting in Colombo, LEARN introduced new initiatives like the REN Leaders Forum, bringing together NREN heads across the region to strategize on common challenges and opportunities. Subsequently, at future APAN meetings, LEARN spearheaded the creation of a High-Performance Computing (HPC) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Working Group, focusing on leveraging emerging technologies for regional progress. 

While these are some of the most recent examples of LEARN’s contributions to regional development, its legacy of impactful initiatives stretches further back. Past efforts include the UpROUSEwithLEARN program, which upgraded the NRENs in Bhutan and Laos, and the BeLISAC project, which enhanced online learning infrastructure across South Asia. Through its several ongoing regional efforts, LEARN is not only driving technological and academic advancements across Asia but also positioning Sri Lanka as a leader in global research and education networks.

How Regional Efforts Benefit Sri Lankan Academics

LEARN’s active participation in regional initiatives not only advances education and innovation across the Asia-Pacific but also delivers tangible benefits to Sri Lankan academics. By leveraging partnerships, collaborations, and shared expertise, LEARN ensures that Sri Lanka remains at the forefront of technological and academic progress while directly empowering its community.

The formation of the SEACREN consortium, of which LEARN is a founding member. Through this consortium, LEARN’s valuable Zoom service continues to be available to Sri Lankan academia at subsidised rates. 

A standout example is LEARN’s Zoom service, which began as a collaborative initiative between LEARN, BdREN, and NORDUnet to secure 1,000 premium Zoom accounts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this effort proved invaluable, ensuring uninterrupted learning for students and faculty nationwide. Today, LEARN Zoom continues to thrive, facilitated by the SEACREN consortium, providing Sri Lankan academics with a reliable platform for virtual collaboration and learning​.

The AIDE Project organised by LEARN in partnership with the UNESCO Chair of APU served as a catalysing force that continues to empower educators with GenAI skills as participants of the initial workshops share their learnings.

Similarly, the AIDE project, in collaboration with the UNESCO Chair of Asia Pacific University, highlights another successful regional partnership. This initiative trained several Sri Lankan educators in using Generative AI, with many participants subsequently conducting independent workshops to share their expertise. A notable instance among these is that the National Institute of Education (NIE) launched its series of workshops to introduce GenAI to teachers across the country, amplifying the impact of this regional effort on local academia​. 

The Network Security Workshop organised by LEARN alongside APNIC and TEIN*CC was another direct example of how the NREN works with international partners to upskill the personnel of its member institutions. 

Building on its extensive network of partnerships, LEARN’s capacity-building initiatives demonstrate a holistic approach by addressing both technical and non-technical roles. The Network Security Workshop, co-organized with APNIC and TEIN*CC, trained over 50 professionals from local academic institutions, equipping them with best practices for safeguarding critical network infrastructure. Separately, the ongoing AP-GAINED project focuses on enhancing the skills of NREN staff in both technical and non-technical domains. This initiative is set to serve as a blueprint for institutions aiming to integrate Generative AI capabilities across departments.

Additionally, LEARN’s participation in the global eduGAIN federation provides Sri Lankan academics access to several resources, including research repositories and advanced collaborative tools. Furthermore, LEARN’s partnership with Indonesia’s Cyber Education Institute (ICE) enables Sri Lankan undergraduates to access free online courses from platforms like edX and XuetangX, earning certificates that enhance their academic and professional qualifications​. 

These examples underscore the far-reaching impact of LEARN’s regional collaborations. By aligning with international partners, LEARN amplifies its ability to serve Sri Lankan academics, ensuring they have access to cutting-edge resources, skills, and opportunities. Ultimately, these efforts exemplify how collaboration beyond borders can create meaningful benefits for education and research in Sri Lanka.

LEARN’s Leadership in Generative AI Integration

Over the past year, LEARN has focused on empowering Sri Lankan academia to embrace GenAI by focusing on capacity building, infrastructure, and policy. Thereby, enabling the next wave of digital transformation.

In modern times, where GenAI is transforming education and research, LEARN is now emerging as a pioneering force, driving initiatives across three critical pillars: capacity building, infrastructure development, and policy formulation. Through these efforts, LEARN is positioning Sri Lanka as a leader in the AI-driven academic revolution, ensuring its institutions navigate this shift and contribute meaningfully to global innovation. 

LEARN’s capacity-building initiatives this past year have empowered educators, researchers, and institutional staff with practical GenAI skills, fostering a culture of innovation islandwide. On the infrastructure front, LEARN’s discussions with regional supercomputing centres and initiatives within the APAN framework are addressing the computational demands of AI technologies, ensuring Sri Lankan researchers can access and benefit from cutting-edge resources. Concurrently, LEARN has taken a proactive role in initiating discussions to formulate the policies needed for the ethical and effective adoption of GenAI in academia. By fostering discussions around data privacy, transparency, and accountability, LEARN is enabling a responsible approach to integrating AI technologies into education and research.

By combining these three pillars, LEARN is not only preparing Sri Lankan academia to embrace GenAI but also ensuring the nation’s active participation in shaping the future of global education and research.

An Enduring Legacy of Digital Transformation

As LEARN celebrates 35 years of service to Sri Lanka’s academic and research community, its journey is a testament to the transformative power of vision, resilience, and collaboration. Prof. Ragel described this momentous milestone stating, “LEARN’s story is one of constant evolution—embracing change while staying committed to our mission of empowering education and research.” From pioneering connectivity in 1989 to becoming a regional leader in technological and educational advancement, LEARN has consistently demonstrated its vital role as an NREN.

By fostering regional partnerships, enabling groundbreaking research, and championing initiatives like GenAI integration, LEARN has ensured that Sri Lankan academia remains connected to global innovation. Its unwavering commitment to equity, accessibility, and innovation empowers educators, researchers, and students islandwide. Looking ahead, LEARN is poised to navigate emerging challenges and opportunities with the same determination that has defined its past. By building on its legacy, LEARN reaffirms its role as a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s academic future and a catalyst for progress in education and research.

By Arteculate

Arteculate is your guide to the Asian tech industry. We give you unparalleled insights, accurate, local tech news, thoughtful features and sometimes scathing opinions on where things are headed. Stay tuned for the best of Asia!

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