APT Training 2021

— Development of fundamental network planning skills in regional communities
to bridge the digital divide —The ITU Association of Japan
International Cooperation Department
As part of AP T’s (Asia-Pacif ic
Telecommunity) program to support
human resource develop, the IT U
Association of Japan has been delivering
training programs*1 since 2017 that aim
to build skills in status analysis, solution
formulation and conceptual design ofcommunication networks as a solution
strategy in an effort to bridge the digital
divide between urban and less-populated
communities in developing countries.
In 2021, the eight-day program*2 washeld between December 1-13, and for thesecond-year running was delivered online.
As was the case last year, class times
were limited to two-to-three hours a day,which was just long enough for trainees
to maintain concentration for an effective
training session. This year’s training
program welcomed eight trainees from fivecountries: Bhutan, Iran, Myanmar, Palauand Sri Lanka.
The training program has three clear
objectives.
(1) Gaining an understanding of issues
specific to one’s own country and learn
methodology for proposing tangible■ Group Photoprojects to overcome the digital gap
in the various communities of thatcountry.
(2) Understanding the importance ofadopting clear government policies onnetwork architecture.
(3) D eveloping skills in proposing andevaluating solutions for the various
issues faced in one’s own country.
On the first day of training all trainees
delivered presentations on current ICT
conditions and related issues in their own
countries and/or specific regional areas.
After the presentations, trainees were given
plenty of time to exchange ideas and learn
about and gain a deeper understanding ofconditions in the countries of their fellow
participants.
Day two started with an address by
Kazuhiko Tanaka, the Secretary-Generalof the ITU Association of Japan, on thecurrent status of ICT in Japan. Thiswas followed by a lecture on the basic
concepts of network design by former
NTT-employee Takayoshi Hamano. Mr.
Hamano joined the program as a lecturer
this year to provide practical drills training,which is a major drawcard of the program.
Trainees carried out various training
drills from day three to learn how todesign networks. Each drill presented
a model of a typical regional area, suchas a mountainous or coastal community,and trainees examined methodology fordesigning networks suitable for each region
based on analysis of geographical and otherconditions. They were also instructed in
the development of region-specific ICT
services and ICT environments.
On day six, trainees were given a
virtual tour of KDDI DIGITAL GATE
by KDDI, with a few staff from theITU Association of Japan also visiting tosupport the virtual tour.
During this virtual tour, trainees
shared in a lecture on K DDI’s 5G
initiatives and demonstrations of KDDI’s
advanced 5G technologies via a live stream.
Despite trainees participating remotely via
their computer screens, there must havebeen a real sense of presence about thetraining not generally available in suchformats.
On the f inal day, each trainee■ Lecture delivered by Mr. Hamano＊1 Training program funded by the Government of Japan for practitioners and technical staff from APT member countries to learn about Japanese technologies and services＊2 A rest day was scheduled during the week.

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■ KDDI lecture

presented an action plan. The action plans
proposed solutions to the issues identified
by trainees on the first day, as well asapplied the skills learnt on the program.
Once all trainees had presented theirplans, trainees were given the opportunity
to exchange ideas with the lecturers andother trainees. By attempting to address
challenges close to their own hearts,
trainees were able to learn more practical
approaches.
Training formats that center onpractical drills induce independencein trainees and enable more active
communication between participants.
In view of the Covid-19 situation, thisyear’s program adopted last year’s training
methods and was delivered entirely online.
Specifically, the program was designed
so that trainees could read and familiarize
themselves with texts and drills in advance
via an e-learning platform so that they
■ Practice drills

14

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■ Virtual tour of KDDI

could concentrate on questions and answer
sessions and meaningful discussions during
online classes. During discussion-based
drills trainees were divided into smallergroups using the breakout room function
on the Web-conferencing tool, Zoom.
Drills were conducted four times,
with members in each group taking
turns to practice the techniques, anddespite differences in nationality and skilllevels, the trainees managed to deepen
interactions with each other.
Once debate had been concluded ona group level, a representative from eachgroup was asked to present their group’s
findings, with lecturers evaluating designideas and giving suggestions on alternative
methods. Trainees came to a sharedrealization that there was never a single
strategy to solving an issue, which thenprompted a wide-ranging discussion.
Despite being conducted entirely

online, this year’s program again proved tobe comprehensive and productive.
Even if the program continues to beheld online in 2022, we would like toconsider how best to deliver purposefultraining sessions in view of the recent
noticeable advances in communication
technology.
In closing, we would like to express
our gratitude to the staff of the APT
and Ministry of Internal Affairs andCommunications for their guidance andcooperation in carrying out this training,
Mr. Hamano for his efforts in creating
the course materials and instructing
the trainees, and the staff of KDDI for
providing a virtual tour of their facilities.
In addition, we would also like to takethis opportunity to thank Mr. Takuzo
Fujii, who created the foundations of theprogram and continued to lecture up until
last year.

■ Post-drill presentations