Cases & Voices

"When you have the opportunity to do what you're passionate about, innovate, and create alongside people who share your curiosity, it's a privilege," reflects Nelson Simões, who will conclude his tenure as General Director of the Brazilian National Research and Education Network (RNP) next year, a position he has held since 2002. Over more than two decades, Simões has been a pivotal figure in advancing academic connectivity and digital development in Brazil and Latin America, leaving a lasting legacy for advanced networks.

Simões joined RNP in 1993 as a network engineer and has since played a crucial role in transforming the organization into a benchmark for education and research network infrastructure. His leadership has driven innovation and strengthened regional collaboration, directly impacting education, research, and technology development.

His journey into advanced networks began with curiosity. Graduating in Computer Engineering in 1990 from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Simões recalls the early steps of his career with enthusiasm. Initially drawn to electronics, he found his calling in networks during the Internet boom of the 1980s. “Everything was new; there was incredible energy for testing, configuring networks, and deploying applications. It was an exceptional school for knowledge and collaboration,” he says.

This passion led him to the university’s Supercomputing Center, where he worked for a decade before joining the emerging RNP. At that time, the organization was laying the groundwork for Brazil’s first Internet infrastructure. "I arrived in 1993, coinciding with the activation of the first national backbone." It was a fortunate coincidence; I was in the right place with the right people,” he recalls.

One of Simões' most significant milestones was leading RNP’s transformation from a research project into a formal corporation in 2002. This shift established strong connections with the academic community and defined a clear mission: to build innovative infrastructures to support higher education and research in Brazil.

“Defining who we are, whom we serve, and our purpose was crucial. We built something of outstanding value for the country and the community,” Simões highlights. This visionary approach laid the foundation for RNP’s expanded impact and major projects.

Throughout his tenure, Simões faced substantial challenges, including expanding the network to connect 900 points in Brazil’s remote regions. This effort required strategic partnerships with energy companies and other private institutions. “These connections not only delivered infrastructure but also development and opportunities to previously isolated communities,” he explains.

The COVID-19 pandemic posed another critical challenge, accelerating the demand for digital services. Within weeks, RNP scaled its platforms to support thousands of new users. “It was a decisive moment. We proved our ability to adapt quickly and provide effective solutions in a critical context,” he emphasizes.

Simões also underscores the value of RNP’s research projects, which fostered experimentation and gave rise to companies and services that today contribute to Brazil’s technological development.

A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Simões champions regional collaboration and the adoption of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and quantum computing. “The role of academic networks is to stay at the forefront, anticipating the impacts of these technologies and exploring how they can benefit education and research,” he reflects.

He also sees enormous potential in RedCLARA, the regional network for Latin America, to enhance the digital capabilities of countries with established national networks and support those lacking consolidated infrastructure. “I hope to see new national networks emerge in the coming years, consolidating connectivity as a cornerstone of regional development,” he asserts.

Simões views his journey at RNP as a unique and enriching experience. “Working with passionate people, innovating, and overcoming challenges has been extraordinary. I feel fortunate to have contributed to connectivity development in Brazil and beyond,” he concludes.

As he steps away from his leadership role, Nelson Simões intends to continue contributing as a specialist. His commitment to innovation and digital development remains steadfast, albeit from a different perspective.

To young professionals, he offers simple but profound advice: “Be curious. Aim for the stars and work on what truly excites you. Curiosity is the engine of innovation,” he concludes.

Quick Takeaways

• Country: Brazil
• Connectivity: People
• Future: Bright
• Idea: Innovative
• Brazil: Land (arid regions)
• TICAL: Gathering