Global Optical Networks enable the High-speed Internet by utilizing various photonic- and wireless- networks, lambda grids, and fiber-optic links over the vast landscape. These are the workhorse for Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) from the architectural, security, signal transport and application perspectives. Photonics and Optoelectronics are the disciplines that have emerged from the “fundamental light-matter interaction” and its engineering applications. At the core level, it starts from fundamental principles of optics and optical materials and encompasses the micro/nano-fabrication of semiconductor devices, components, and functional modules and sub-assemblies. On the application side, such devices enable the ICT and constitute physical layer.

IEEE ComSoc (a co-sponsor of 6 out of 7 past events) has been requested once again to be a technical co-sponsor. This year HONET has grown from an international symposium to become a full conference. Now it contains multi-tracks in ICT and e-applications, and emerging technologies e.g., nanotechnology for ICT, biomedical applications and energy-harvesting devices. HONET also includes focused workshops and specialized short-courses preceding the main conference. HONET will span over three days of technical and visionary presentations as well as technical show/exhibits for industry. It will include keynote addresses and various plenary sessions in areas consistent with the theme and objectives. As a part of its legacy, the major objective of the 8th HONET as International Conference is to bring together participants from US, Saudi Arabia, SAMENA (South-Asia, Middle-East, & North-Africa) region, and other world-wide researchers, educators, students, and industry professionals for sharing the knowledge and experience and furthering collaborations. The HONET 2011 thematic focus also includes “Nanotechnology for ICT”. HONET has now a broader appeal of “Emerging Technologies”, covering lasers, photonic-devices, and other complementary communication technologies as well as nanotechnologies in medicine and information. It expands to cover nanophotonics for high-speed internet from building-block components to energy efficiency, e-science and e-healthcare applications, cloud computing, network security and enabling technologies.