Inspiring Through Education
Engaging future talent to build and sustain global digital infrastructure for the public good.
Shaping the Future of Subsea
The Foundation’s educational initiatives aim to inspire and prepare the next generation of subsea telecom professionals, whilst engaging the industry.
These programmes include the WAVE regional/local language symposia, which serve as an introduction to the industry, followed by the Global Digital Infrastructure (GDI) certificate, and culminating in the UNiGE postgraduate degree.
These initiatives, alongside online resources and academic partnerships, are designed for real impact.
WAVE Symposia
These regional/local language symposia - recently rebranded as WAVE - are planned and led by volunteers from across our industry, including many industry young professionals.
Global Digital Infrastructure
The first undergraduate certificate program to introduce students to the technical, economic, legal, environmental, and social dimensions of the global Internet infrastructure, including both data centres and subsea telecommunications cables.
UNiGE Postgraduate Degree
The University of Genoa, in collaboration with the SubOptic Foundation and industry partners, is developing a 2nd-level postgraduate Master’s program in Undersea Optical Telecommunication Engineering.
WAVE Symposia
Inspiring the next generation of subsea telecom professionals
WAVE symposia are at the heart of the SubOptic Foundation’s mission to educate and inspire.
These regional and local-language events provide students and young professionals with their first introduction to the dynamic subsea telecoms industry.
Led by volunteers, including many emerging leaders, WAVE symposia showcases the collaborative spirit of our global community.
In 2024, WAVE events took place in Tokyo, London, Lisbon, and Paris, with live-streaming reaching hundreds worldwide. With support from our member companies, these symposia offer invaluable insights, networking opportunities, and career inspiration for the industry’s next generation.
Planning is already underway for 2025, with events scheduled in Egypt, Brazil, Uruguay, and Japan.
“Thanks for organising such a great day. I was so glad you invited me to participate. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it was wonderful to engage with the stars of tomorrow. The lineups, content, location, and organisation for the day were flawless.”
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“Thanks for organising such a great day. I was so glad you invited me to participate. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it was wonderful to engage with the stars of tomorrow. The lineups, content, location, and organisation for the day were flawless.”
“Thanks for organising such a great day. I was so glad you invited me to participate. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it was wonderful to engage with the stars of tomorrow. The lineups, content, location, and organisation for the day were flawless.”
%20Large.jpeg)
“Thanks for organising such a great day. I was so glad you invited me to participate. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it was wonderful to engage with the stars of tomorrow. The lineups, content, location, and organisation for the day were flawless.”
%20Large.jpeg)
“Thanks for organising such a great day. I was so glad you invited me to participate. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it was wonderful to engage with the stars of tomorrow. The lineups, content, location, and organisation for the day were flawless.”
“Thanks for organising such a great day. I was so glad you invited me to participate. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it was wonderful to engage with the stars of tomorrow. The lineups, content, location, and organisation for the day were flawless.”
“Thanks for organising such a great day. I was so glad you invited me to participate. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it was wonderful to engage with the stars of tomorrow. The lineups, content, location, and organisation for the day were flawless.”
“Thanks for organising such a great day. I was so glad you invited me to participate. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it was wonderful to engage with the stars of tomorrow. The lineups, content, location, and organisation for the day were flawless.”
“Thanks for organising such a great day. I was so glad you invited me to participate. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it was wonderful to engage with the stars of tomorrow. The lineups, content, location, and organisation for the day were flawless.”
“Thanks for organising such a great day. I was so glad you invited me to participate. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it was wonderful to engage with the stars of tomorrow. The lineups, content, location, and organisation for the day were flawless.”
“Thanks for organising such a great day. I was so glad you invited me to participate. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it was wonderful to engage with the stars of tomorrow. The lineups, content, location, and organisation for the day were flawless.”
“Thanks for organising such a great day. I was so glad you invited me to participate. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it was wonderful to engage with the stars of tomorrow. The lineups, content, location, and organisation for the day were flawless.”
%20(1)%20Large.jpeg)
“Thanks for organising such a great day. I was so glad you invited me to participate. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it was wonderful to engage with the stars of tomorrow. The lineups, content, location, and organisation for the day were flawless.”
Join the WAVE. The global symposia series is now live
Help to build the future of the internet
Certificate in Global Digital Infrastructure (GDI)
The SubOptic Foundation, in partnership with the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) and Infrastructure Masons (iMasons), proudly introduces the first undergraduate certificate programme in Global Digital Infrastructure (GDI).
This innovative programme explores the technical, legal, environmental, and social dimensions of the global internet infrastructure, including subsea telecommunications cables and data centres.
Designed for students from UC Berkeley and universities worldwide, the certificate offers a comprehensive overview of digital infrastructure, equipping participants with cutting-edge knowledge delivered by industry experts.
The GDI Certificate is a powerful step in breaking down barriers to industry knowledge, equipping students and young professionals with the skills and insights needed to shape the future of global connectivity.”
Join Us
Start your journey to understanding and shaping the future of digital infrastructure: visit the UC Berkeley Center for New Media for details on how to apply.
The Programme
Digital infrastructure is the backbone of modern society, enabling everything from global communication to economic and social systems. Yet, its critical role remains largely invisible to the public.
This programme addresses a dual challenge:
- Industry Workforce Gap: Companies managing subsea cables and data centers are in urgent need of diverse, skilled professionals prepared to drive innovation and resilience.
- Public Awareness: As sectors increasingly depend on digital infrastructure, understanding its operations and vulnerabilities is crucial for sustainability and continuity.
Interdisciplinary Curriculum
Welcoming students from engineering, business, law, social sciences, architecture, and beyond. No prior experience in digital infrastructure or related fields is required.
Global Focus
Explore case studies and challenges from around the world, with a focus on subsea cables, data centers, and interconnection points.
Flexible Format
Courses are online, available synchronously and asynchronously, with some in-person options at UC Berkeley.
Project-Based Learning
Collaborate across disciplines to tackle real-world challenges, guided by UC Berkeley faculty and industry experts.
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The inaugural cohort begins in Summer 2025. Students may take one, two, or all three courses to earn the certificate:
- Digital Infrastructure 101: The Hidden Foundations of the Internet (May 27 – July 3, 2025) Discover the unseen layers of the Internet and the foundational role of digital infrastructure.
- How to Build a Global Internet: Digital Infrastructure Projects from Subsea Cables to Data Centers (July 7 – August 15, 2025) Learn the process of designing, building, and managing global Internet projects.
- Tech Wars: Security, Geopolitics, and Resilience of Digital Infrastructures (July 7 – August 15, 2025) Explore the critical intersections of technology, security, and global geopolitics.
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- Each course runs for six weeks and is led by UC Berkeley Professor Nicole Starosielski, featuring guest lectures from industry leaders.
- Courses are for undergraduates and beginning university students (ages 18–25), with no prior experience required.
- All courses will be noted on UC Berkeley transcripts and may be transferable to other universities.
FAQ
Digital infrastructures are the physical installations that support the transmission, storage, and computation of data. Digital infrastructure underpins all Internet operations today. These infrastructures include data centres—which range from small edge facilities to expansive hyperscaler operations. They also include subsea fibre-optic cables that transport over 99% of all international data traffic. The course will cover the technology development of subsea fibre along with the complexity and challenges of the marine operations of installation, repair, and maintenance. Terrestrially, Internet traffic is supported by fibre-optic cables that run underground or are strung between utility poles. At interconnection facilities–often housed in a data centre–networks are interlinked. The course will include discussions about IXPs, POPs, caching and peering.
It is typically only in the last hop to the end-user that digital transmissions become wireless. The courses in this program will cover some of these wireless infrastructures, including cellular, microwave, and satellite. These systems will be considered in relation to the global backbone of the Internet and transforming digital architectures enabled by 5G and AI. While LEO satellites will be discussed, these systems have nowhere near the capacity of subsea systems.
These courses will give you an overview of technology, but they are intended to be accessible to all disciplines. We believe that, since everyone is dependent on the Internet, there should be education that enables anyone—from a journalist to those interested in working in government—to understand what’s going on beneath the interface.
This certificate is a program in global digital infrastructure. The curriculum is developed not only by scholars in the United States but will include contributions and case studies from around the world.
UNiGE Post-Graduate Qualification Submarine Infrastructure: Undersea Optical Telecommunication Engineering
2nd Level Master Program University of Genoa, Italy
The University of Genoa, in collaboration with the SubOptic Foundation and industry partners, is developing a 2nd-level postgraduate Master’s program in Undersea Optical Telecommunication Engineering.
This specialised course is designed to equip students with the expertise required to excel in the dynamic field of submarine cable systems.
Programme Highlights
Comprehensive Curriculum
Covers all aspects of submarine cable system development, including:
- Submarine Cable System Engineering
- Project Management
- Economics and Financial
- Geopolitics, Regulatory and Law
- Environmental
- Operations and Maintenance
Flexible Format
The programme is envisioned to be available in both classroom and online formats, making it accessible to students worldwide.
Credits and Workload
Students will earn 60 credits through approximately 1,500 hours of study, blending theoretical knowledge with practical insights.
A Gateway to Subsea Excellence
This programme is ideal for graduates and professionals looking to deepen their knowledge of the submarine cable industry and advance their careers in a critical field that underpins global connectivity.
Past Educational Initiatives
Between 2019 and 2022 SubOptic, in partnership with Google and Optica, held three editions of the Subsea OFC School; an opportunity for PhD students and early career professionals to learn more about the subsea industry and how to join it.
The below images are from the 2022 event in Sweden which attracted 58 attendees representing 23 different countries.
Be Part of the Change
Find out how you can support the SubOptic Foundation
- Students: Apply now to join the next generation of industry leaders and shape your future in the submarine cable industry.
- Supporters: You can support the Foundation in multiple ways, including a donation of time, money, or expertise.
Upcoming Industry Events
Networking opportunities with industry leaders
