The TNC26 conference took place in Helsinki, Finland, from June 8 to 12, 2026, attended by a team from Higher Education and Science Information Technology Shared Service Centre. Organized by GÉANT, TNC is Europe's largest research and education networking conference, bringing together representatives from National Research and Education Networks (NRENs), universities, research organizations, and technology providers. It serves as a key meeting point for the NREN community to share practical experience, foster international collaboration, and explore the latest solutions in networking and digital services. Participation in the conference offers an opportunity to leverage the experience of other countries in developing national research infrastructure and services tailored to the needs of researchers.
During the conference, attendees participated in sessions covering NREN development, international connectivity, and the resilience and sustainability of digital infrastructure. Participants also shared practical insights regarding strategic planning, project management, and communication within international projects.
Participation in the eduGAIN community meeting provided a deeper understanding of federated identity solutions and their importance for the accessibility of EOSC services. Up-to-date information was also obtained regarding the development of eduroam infrastructure and the provision of secure, scalable services. Meanwhile, the SIG-EDU annual meeting provided insight into the needs of the research and education community and the experiences of NRENs in developing relevant services.
Several sessions highlighted the importance of federated solutions in preserving institutional autonomy, fostering collaboration, and strengthening digital sovereignty. Participants focused on opportunities to reduce reliance on commercial services by developing solutions based on open standards and locally managed infrastructure, including in the field of artificial intelligence.
The conference also showcased practical tools for video conferencing, video content management, audio and video transcription, and the use of artificial intelligence to assist with surveys and document preparation. Issues regarding the implementation and sustainable maintenance of these solutions were discussed, with particular emphasis on user experience, reliable operation, and the ability of institutions to manage their own services. The suitability of the tools presented for the needs of Latvian researchers, as well as the potential for including them in the service portfolio of the EOSC Node Latvia, will be evaluated in future work. During the conference, contacts were established and strengthened with representatives of European research infrastructures and the NREN community. The knowledge gained and contacts made will be utilized in planning the development of the Latvian EOSC node and research network, coordinating cooperation among partner organizations, and refining the service portfolio—with a particular focus on security, resilience, long-term sustainability, and the needs of Latvian researchers.
Support is provided by the project "Digitalization of Scientific Activity and Participation in the European Open Science Cloud" (Project No. 1.1.1.6/1/25/I/001).
