Joint Workshop on Digital Technology Standards and Capacity building

Digital technology standards and capacity building: StandICT.eu contributes to international dialogue on initiatives, shared challenges and opportunities

On 7 May 2026, StandICT.eu 2029 participated in the Joint Workshop on Digital Technology Standards and Capacity Building, hosted in Tokyo by the Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA) of Korea. Founded in 1988, TTA is the leading ICT standardisation organisation in Korea, playing a central role in the development of technical standards, international cooperation, and the promotion of capacity building initiatives aimed at strengthening participation in global standardisation activities.

The workshop brought together representatives from government, academia, standardisation bodies and industry from Korea, Japan and Europe to exchange views on the future of digital standardisation and explore how international cooperation can strengthen both technological leadership and the human capacity required to support it. Discussions focused on strategic standardisation roadmaps, emerging technologies such as AI and Quantum technologies, and initiatives aimed at developing the next generation of standards experts.

The event opened with presentations on national standardisation strategies and roadmaps from Korea, Japan and the United Kingdom, providing participants with an overview of how different regions are approaching digital transformation, innovation and standards development. This was followed by a session dedicated to Digital Technology Standards, where speakers explored policy and standardisation developments in AI, including Korea’s national vision and ongoing discussions within Japanese standardisation activities. Particular attention was also given to quantum, with presentations covering national initiatives, standardisation activities, industry-led collaborations and efforts to strengthen international cooperation in this rapidly evolving field.

StandICT.eu participated prominently in the Capacity Building session, which focused on the challenge of developing the skills, expertise and communities necessary to support effective participation in international standardisation activities. The session highlighted a growing recognition that technological leadership depends not only on technical innovation, but also on the availability of qualified experts capable of contributing to standards development processes.

Building a standardisation culture in European Higher Education: EDU4Standards Highlights

The session opened with a presentation on EDU4Standards, delivered by Knut Blind, which showcased ongoing efforts to strengthen standardisation education within European higher education institutions. The EU-funded project is working to integrate standards-related topics into university curricula, develop dedicated teaching resources, support pilot educational programmes and organise Academic Standardisation Days across Europe. A key objective is to establish a sustainable and replicable framework that enables universities to prepare students for active participation in standardisation activities while increasing awareness of the strategic role standards play in innovation and competitiveness.

StandICT.eu 2029 Mentorship Programme: Supporting the new generation of ICT standardisation experts

Representing StandICT.eu, Gabriele Casalini presented the StandICT.eu 2029 Mentorship Programme, which aims to support the next generation of ICT standardisation experts through structured knowledge transfer and networking opportunities. The presentation highlighted the broader StandICT.eu Fellowship Programme, which allocates €4.2 million through six Open Calls to support European experts participating in European and international standardisation activities. 

Particular attention was given to the Mentorship Programme, a free and voluntary initiative that connects experienced standards professionals with newcomers, researchers, SMEs and early-career experts. Through mentoring exchanges, participants gain practical guidance, strengthen their professional networks and acquire first-hand experience of standards development processes. The programme is complemented by resources provided through the StandICT.eu Academy, further supporting skills development and capacity building across the European ICT standardisation ecosystem.

TTC Japan – Developing Human Resources for Standardisation

The Telecommunication Technology Committee (TTC) shared its capacity-building activities aimed at addressing the shortage of standardisation professionals and the lack of structured career pathways in the field. The initiative focuses on defining standardisation-related competencies and professional profiles, creating training frameworks, and strengthening collaboration between industry, academia and learners. Alongside educational activities and events, TTC is working towards a more systematic approach to nurturing standards experts, recognising that standardisation skills are increasingly important across a broad range of technical and business functions. 

Standards Experts Incubating Lab – Connecting Research and Standardisation

A case study from Korea showcased a university-led model that integrates standardisation activities directly into research and graduate education. Students receive specialised training, contribute to the drafting of new standards proposals, participate in standards meetings, and align their research activities with ongoing international standardisation work. The initiative demonstrates how academic institutions can play a direct role in developing future experts while simultaneously contributing to international standards development. The approach has already generated research outputs linked to standardisation activities and helped increase student participation in standards-related work. 

UK Digital Standards Programme – Talent, Capability and Capacity Building

The UK presentation highlighted growing concerns around declining participation in standards development organisations and the need to attract a new generation of standards experts. To address this challenge, the programme combines awareness raising, training, mentoring, grants, academic engagement and international collaboration activities. Particular emphasis was placed on lowering barriers to participation, strengthening links between research and standardisation, and promoting cooperation with international partners. The initiative also underlined the importance of sharing best practices globally and developing coordinated approaches to build long-term standards expertise and capacity. 

Key reflections on standardisation capacity building and international cooperation 

The workshop concluded with a panel discussion on future collaboration, bringing together representatives from TTA, TTC, Korea University, the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and StandICT.eu. Discussions focused on practical actions to strengthen standardisation education and human resource development, with participants highlighting the importance of learning from existing initiatives, sharing best practices and building stronger international partnerships. 

Speakers agreed that universities, industry associations, public authorities and standardisation organisations all have an important role to play in addressing current skills gaps and increasing participation in standards development activities. Participants also emphasised the need to raise awareness of the value of standardisation, particularly among SMEs and younger professionals, while recognising that financial, organisational and knowledge-related barriers continue to limit participation. 

Greater cooperation between educational institutions, industry stakeholders, national authorities and standards bodies was identified as a key success factor for building sustainable capacity and ensuring that future generations of experts are equipped to contribute effectively to international standardisation activities.  Existing initiatives such as StandICT.eu and EDU4Standards were recognised as valuable examples of how coordinated action can help strengthen the global standardisation ecosystem and support long-term skills development.