This year’s annual HEAnet, established in 2001, has marked the end of an era and the beginning of an ambitious new chapter for Ireland’s national research and education network. Opened by Professor Mike Murphy, Chairperson of the HEAnet Board, the 2025 event welcomed a record-breaking audience of more than 480 participants, an impressive testament to the sector’s growing engagement and the conference’s long-standing reputation. The address from the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), James Lawless, underscored the strategic significance of the occasion. The Minister’s address can be viewed here.
“We were honoured to welcome Minister James Lawless to the HEAnet Conference 2025. HEAnet is proud to deliver a range of strategic initiatives on behalf of the Department that strengthen Ireland’s education and research sector. We thank the Minister for his continued support, and we look forward to delivering on Ireland’s digital transformation agenda in the years ahead.” Ronan Byrne, HEAnet CEO
We were pleased to also welcome Professor JC Desplat, Director of the Irish Centre for High-End Computing (ICHEC), and Martin Hynes, Chairperson of ICHEC. Their visit underscored the strong alignment between ICHEC and HEAnet in advancing Ireland’s research capacity. Both organisations share a commitment to developing a robust, interconnected national research infrastructure capable of supporting the growing demands of data-intensive science and innovation. This strategic collaboration is actively driving national initiatives that aim to reshape how data is shared, stored, and governed throughout Ireland’s research and innovation ecosystem.
A New Identity for a Unified Future
One of the most notable moments was the announcement by HEAnet CEO, Ronan Byrne, unveiling the new organisation name, Asiera. Our new name Asiera (pronounced a-seer-a) captures what drives us every day – Advancing Services for Irish Education, Research and Academia. This marks the official merger of HEAnet and its subsidiary, EduCampus Services. Together we will form a single, stronger organisation dedicated to delivering ICT shared services that empower Ireland’s education and research sector at every level. The CEO’s address and official launch of Asiera at the HEAnet Conference can be viewed here.
Inspiring Vision from Ireland’s First Astronaut Candidate
Among the event’s most compelling highlights was the keynote delivered by Dr Norah Patten, Ireland’s first astronaut candidate. Her presentation traced a remarkable journey, from her childhood fascination with space, to her recent selection as part of the IIAS-02 commercial research spaceflight crew, a mission that will mark her first flight to space. Dr Patten’s trajectory is both inspiring and strategically relevant; her achievements signal the growing prominence of Irish STEM leadership on the global stage, a message that resonated strongly with the audience.
International Panel Explores the Next-Generation University
A major draw of the programme was an expert panel discussion titled Building the Infrastructure of Ideas: Building the Next Generation University. Chaired by Ger Culley, Director of IT Services, of University College Cork, the panel brought together Ronan Byrne (CEO, HEAnet), Lise Fuhr (CEO, GÉANT), and Heidi Fraser-Krauss (CEO, Jisc, UK).
The conversation addressed the future design of digital infrastructure across education and research, highlighting shared challenges and the importance of cross-national collaboration. The discussion reinforced the idea that universities will thrive only through resilient connectivity, innovative services, and unified sectoral approaches. This highly engaging panel discussion can be viewed here.
Showcasing Ireland’s Quantum Future
The conference also featured the IrelandQCI Quantum & Answers Trailer, presented by representatives from Trinity College Dublin’s CONNECT Centre, and visited by Minister James Lawless, TD Michael Cahill, and his son, Councillor Tommy Cahill. The exhibit illustrated ongoing national efforts to develop a Quantum Communication Infrastructure across Ireland. As quantum-secure technologies become increasingly essential to safeguarding public-sector, research, and educational data, this initiative positions Ireland at the forefront of next-generation security capabilities.
Talks Tracing the Evolution of Networking: From Quantum Security to the Dawn of the Internet
HEAnet Conference 2025 featured a strong lineup of presentations, beginning with an opening plenary on “Quantum Computing and Post-Quantum Cryptography: Preparing for the Next Era of Cybersecurity” delivered by Hazel Murray, Chair of Cybersecurity at Munster Technological University. The programme concluded with a compelling address from Dr. Dennis Jennings of the National Science Foundation Network, who offered an in-depth exploration of “The Beginning of the Internet,” drawing on his formative work as a pioneer in the early design and development of Europe’s research networking infrastructure.
Enjoy the full recordings of Talks delivered in Plenary A and B here, and explore a selection of photographs of the conference in the gallery here.
Marking an Ending While Setting the Course for the Future
This final HEAnet Conference not only celebrated the organisation’s legacy but also set a high standard for what lies ahead. With the transition to Asiera and the anticipation building toward the first Asiera Conference in 2026, the sector enters a transformative period marked by innovation, collaboration, and renewed ambition. We look forward to welcoming all our attendees back to the Great Southern Hotel in Killarney, November 3 -5, 2026.
