Project support/ Support Package
The APNIC Foundation is committed to providing support to Sponsored Participants to complete their Professional Development (PD) Plan. This includes (but is not restricted to):
- Providing information about, and access to, learning platforms managed by APNIC as well as a limited number of online training providers, according to the PD Plan.
- If possible, covering pre-approved costs associated with your PD Plan (e.g. training courses fees, exams fees and learning material costs). Where possible, the Foundation will pay directly to the training provider. No expense reimbursements will be processed without prior approval.
- If possible, covering participation costs to join local, regional and/or global events related to your PD Plan. This may include travel costs depending on your individual performance as well as Project criteria. This will require a separate travel agreement for any travel supported, with specific terms and conditions associated.
Key Dates
| 19 December 2024 | Expressions of interest launch at 12:00 (UTC +10) |
| 19 January 2025 | Expressions of interest close at 23:59 (UTC +10) |
| 28 February 2025 | Final list of successful participants |
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
Expressions of interest are open to women and gender diverse working professionals, who are residents of Expressions of interest are open to women and gender diverse working professionals, who are residents of Cambodia, Laos, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste or Viet Nam.
The term gender diverse is used by the Foundation to refer to people who do not identify themselves as either male or female or those who identify as a gender different to their biological sex.
Participants need to be actively involved in Internet network management and operations, cybersecurity, or Internet governance in any of the following capacities:
- Internet network management and operations, e.g. network engineering and network design, network operations and Network Operation Centre, Internet systems engineering and systems operations.
- Cybersecurity, e.g. network security, software security, information security.
- Internet governance, e.g. policy making
The selection process is entirely at the discretion of the APNIC Foundation, and the decisions are final. The APNIC Foundation will not be able to provide detailed feedback to those who were unable to participate.
Participation Requirements
- To comply with all the course guidelines, deadlines and tasks assigned by every course provider included on your PD Plan, including:
- To complete any registration requirements to undertake the proposed courses on your PD Plan.
- To explore course content and prepare to make the most of your participation.
- To document your progress monthly as instructed, using the tools and processes provided by the APNIC Foundation.
- To complete your PD plan and reports before the deadline.
- To complete any surveys or questionnaires requested by the Project Lead related to any aspect of your learning experience.
- To submit all requests for the reimbursement of previously approved expenses by the required dates, noting that no expenses will be reimbursed after the deadline.
- To attend and actively participate, regardless of time zone differences, in the activities that are included in your PD plan, as well as all relevant sessions organized for Sponsored Participants, and to respond promptly to reminders to meet any agreed deadlines.
- To engage with the Project Lead regularly to discuss your progress and professional development.
- To inform your employer about your commitments with the Project. The Project Lead and the Foundation team are available to support any additional requirements you may have in this regard.
- To organize and cover the cost of any other resources you may need to ensure effective participation, such as an efficient Internet connection from where you are participating in the Project activities (e.g. your place of residence).
- To inform the Project Lead in writing about the details and impact of any change in your circumstances that you anticipate will negatively impact the completion of your PD Plan (including, but not limited to, change in your place of residency, change of employer, health condition, excessive travels, moving to remote area without Internet connectivity, etc.).
- To inform the Project Lead in writing and complete all necessary processes to return any unused funds, vouchers, licenses or resources at least 30 days before the expiration or end of this agreement.
- To contribute to the preparation of Project outreach and communications outcomes of the Foundation. Where and when appropriate, share your experience and the knowledge you gained from the Project with your colleagues and the local Internet community. For example, you can write a blog post to share your experience with the community; join and engage with the Foundation on social media (LinkedIn, Facebook and or X) and/or participate in relevant local ICT events (NOGs, training etc.).
Why does the Foundation focus on women and gender diverse people for the Switch! project?
The APNIC Foundation is committed to increasing participation and representation in the Internet industry.
Available data from our consultation processes and anecdotal evidence confirm that there is still a big disparity in the workforce between men employed in technical roles vs women and gender diverse professionals. While there are many initiatives that support young women to study STEM careers and others focusing on developing leadership skills in technical companies to have more women in leadership positions, the APNIC Foundation identified scenarios where 1) women and gender diverse people, already employed in technical roles in the industry, have to limit their professional development to opportunities that respond to the needs of their employers, instead of their personal development, availability and capacity, and 2) once leadership development pathways are available, many of these highly skilled technical professionals end up leaving technical roles again in the hands of men, as gender considerations are not considered as part of succession planning/recruitment.
The APNIC Foundation established the Switch! Project to fill those gaps and respond to the individual needs of highly motivated women and gender diverse people in the industry so that they can positively and proactively contribute to the development of the industry, as they define their own goals and receive tailored support to achieve them.
What professional development topics can I request support for and in which modalities?
Access to education and training either online or face-to-face, through a combination of one or more workshops, webinars, seminars, tutorials, and so on, that are part of professional certifications pathways that are related but not limited to the following topics:
Technical: Network operations (Fundamentals, Routing, DNS, Cloud); Security (Network, Software, Cloud, Information, Privacy); Data science and analytics; Software and web development; research skills on technical related areas
Management: Management skills; Governance and risk; Internet governance, Communication (Public speaking, English proficiency); Leadership and self development
If selected, how long will support be available?
Expenses can only be covered from March to October 2025, with completion of all items approved under the PD Plan to be completed by November 2025. That includes exams, course attendance and related activities.
Can I take a course in my local language?
Yes, if the course offers this option.
How much is the financial support available per person?
Since selected participants will be seeking support for a variety of roles and career levels, their needs and required support can also vary. The APNIC Foundation has also negotiated discounts with some training providers, and those calculations will affect final amounts. We encourage selected participants to define their Professional Development Plan (PD Plan) requests, thinking about what will be the most relevant opportunities in the timeframe available. All requests received will be assessed.
Do participants have any obligations to the project after it ends?
Although the participants are only required to participate within project duration as per their participants agreement mentioned in the Participation Requirements section, participants are encouraged to remain subscribed to the project mailing list and are welcome to take advantage of any additional support available and the network of contacts they established due to their participation in the project. The project participants may be contacted after the project has ended, to provide feedback on past or future projects, assist with engagement with their employers and the community in their respective economies.
