This one’s a bit for the teckies, but highly recommended. I’ve been to their conferences, and even though (or perhaps because) I’m not a teckie I learned a lot from the conferences and made some very good connections
TERENA
The Trans-European Research and Education Networking Association offers a forum to collaborate, innovate and share knowledge in order to foster the development of Internet technology, infrastructure and services to be used by the research and education community. And it’s in Iceland, a country I’ve flown over many times but never visited.
The conference
Where
The TERENA Networking Conference (TNC2012) will take place in Reykjavik, Iceland hosted by the Icelandic National Research and Education Network (RHnet) and the University of Iceland.
When
21-24 May 2012
What
The conference will present an overview of the latest developments in research networking, both in the technical field and in the areas of application and management. This year’s theme is “Networking to Services” and will focus on network technologies, infrastructures and services that support research and education, examining the following areas: ‘bits & wires’, ‘supporting collaboration’, ‘infrastructure & services’, ‘social & secure’, and ‘using the stuff’.
How
Take advantage of lower-cost early registration fees, available until midnight on 13 April. The registration fee includes access to all conference sessions, materials and social events.
Students can apply to attend the conference free of charge: a limited number of free registration places will be available for bona fide postgraduate students, sponsored by Cisco Systems and Internet Society.
Different ways to participate
Lightning talks: Like last year, TNC2012 will feature the opportunity to give a five-minute presentation focusing, for example, on an idea, a successful project or an invitation to collaborate.
Posters: Another way to make your ideas more visible at the conference is to present a poster. A poster presentation is an excellent advertisement tool for projects, concepts and ideas, and can act as a great conversation starter with other TNC2012 participants.
You can be a part of the TNC2012 Conference online through the Social media mash-up page, where you can share your knowledge, photos, videos and information via Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, and blogs and you can also ‘like’ us on Facebook.
Registration
Registration can be done online or using a downloadable form (.pdf): information about this and how to submit a poster, lightning talk, or application for sponsored student attendance is available at https://tnc2012.terena.org/web/participate/guidelines. Book your hotel early and take advantage of early registration discounts!
Further information
The complete TNC2012 conference schedule. You can also view the TNC2012 Preliminary Programme.
Several meetings will surround the core programme of TNC2012. Make your participation as productive as possible by registering for one or more of the extra meetings described in the events overview.
“Fun-filled and productive”, “an excellent conference”, “very inclusive and open to a newcomer”, with “good sessions and great networking” are just some of the ways that participants have described past TERENA Networking Conferences. Don’t hesitate to book your hotel early and take advantage of early registration discounts!
Dr. Tony Bates is the author of eleven books in the field of online learning and distance education. He has provided consulting services specializing in training in the planning and management of online learning and distance education, working with over 40 organizations in 25 countries. Tony is a Research Associate with Contact North | Contact Nord, Ontario’s Distance Education & Training Network.
