Panel Discussion - Forging Synergy Between Industry, Policy, and Academia for National Network Resilience

This panel addresses the persistent gaps between Industry, Policymakers, and Academic Institutions that hinder rapid innovation, effective capacity building, and regulatory clarity. Industry needs a pipeline of graduates ready for a Code-First and Automation-driven world, Academia needs access to real-world network data and equipment to inform relevant research, and Policymakers require direct, technical input to draft resilient and forward-looking regulatory frameworks. The discussion will center on critical areas required for effective synergy, starting with closing the skill mismatch by examining how university curricula can be rapidly updated to prepare graduates for modern roles in Cloud Networking, Automation, and Security operations. This will extend to exploring necessary frameworks for data and research, allowing secure and responsible data sharing between network operators and academic researchers to foster localized innovation. The panelists will also focus on establishing effective feedback loops institutionalizing mechanisms like IXPs or NOGs to ensure regulatory policy is informed by current technical realities and identifying successful models for joint capacity building through certification programs and mentorship schemes.