Digital infrastructure conference strengthens collaboration networks

TNC is the largest annual event for the research and education networking community in Europe, hosted each year in a different country. This year marked the first time the conference was held in Finland. The event was organized by the European research and education networking association GÉANT, with CSC serving as the host. The conference drew a record audience, as nearly 1,000 participants travelled to Helsinki at the start of summer.

“It is always a pleasure to see people from around the world connect and engage in active discussions on shared topics. The value of TNC lies not only in the programme but also in the encounters that can later develop into new collaborative initiatives,” says Juha Oinonen, Director responsible for Funet services at CSC.

This year’s theme, “Digital Sisu,” was reflected in the programme through multiple sessions and presentations focusing on collaboration and European sovereignty. In addition to new collaborative initiatives – such as leveraging networks for sensing or developing European network technology capable of transmitting ultra-precise time and frequency – many sessions addressed topics related to cybersecurity, national services, and other current issues.

“The event offered CSC an opportunity to showcase our expertise to an international audience and to strengthen our position as part of the European research and education infrastructure. We are already involved in many significant Europe-wide initiatives and projects, so we also have much to contribute to the discussion,” Oinonen continues.

The event’s keynote speakers were technology entrepreneur and AI expert Maria Ritola and cybersecurity expert Samuli Könönen. Both keynote presentations highlighted how people think, make decisions, and process information in modern society – and how they can maintain their ability to operate effectively in a world shaped by technology.

Many CSC experts also contributed to the programme through presentations, talks and panel discussions. In addition, one of CSC’s most significant contributions to the event was the construction of a conference network capable of 1.6 terabits per second, built in collaboration with GÉANT, HPE Networking, NORDUnet, SUNET, and SURF.

Cross-border collaboration

Beyond new learning and knowledge sharing, one of the most valuable outcomes of events like TNC is the deepening of collaboration and the building of networks between individuals and organisations. National research and education networks share many common goals and challenges. The annual event provides an opportunity to strengthen existing partnerships, exchange experiences, and build new collaborations. For the research and education networking community, this is essential, as national networks act as partners in building and developing shared infrastructure.

“In the research and education networking community, collaboration is emphasised over competition. TNC provides an opportunity to meet colleagues face-to-face who work together throughout the year across Europe and around the world,” Oinonen concludes.

Many of the major challenges in research and education are global in nature, and addressing them requires reliable connections, shared services, and close international collaboration. TNC provides the community with a forum where new ideas can be developed into joint projects and practices whose impact will extend well beyond the end of the conference.

TNC26 demonstrated that the research and education networking community remains strongly committed to collaboration even in a rapidly changing environment. The community will next gather at the TNC conference in 2027 in Liège, Belgium. But the connections, ideas and collaborations formed in Helsinki will continue to live on well before then.