Kathmandu, Dec 26: Asia Pacific School on Internet Governance (APSIG) newly elected chair and advocate Baburam Aryal has expressed commitments to advancing studies and research works on internet policy and its use in the Asia-Pacific region. As he said, his leadership would dedicate time for enhancing internet connectivity in the Asia-Pacific.
Aryal who was declared elected as the APSIG Chair on Sunday said he planned to undertake a study for expanding the maritime internet connectivity and those areas marred by geographical remoteness.
Known for his expertise in cyber law, cyber security, telecommunications law, and media law, Aryal secured the chair position by receiving 21 votes, surpassing his competitor Mubashir Sargana (15 votes) from Pakistan.
In the vice-chair elections for two seats, Dr Govind Kumar from India secured the highest 21 votes while Nepal’s Shreedeep Rayamajhi and Pakistan’s Waqas Hassan got equal 16, and in the second round of election, Hassan secured 18 to get elected on the post.
The third contender for the vice chair post, Iqbal Ahmed from Bangladesh obtained nine votes and was out from the first round.
The term of new leadership is of two years. On the five-member Board of Directors, Sagarika Wickramasekera from Sri Lanka has been already elected on the secretary post and Shah Zahidur Rahman from Bangladesh as treasurer. Their elections were unopposed.
It is said APSIG works for raising awareness and capacity building in the relevant area within the Asia Pacific region.
