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Dr. Quaynor receives international
ICT Award
Accra, Dec 7, GNA - Dr. Nii Narku Quaynor, Chairman of
the Network Computer Systems (NCS), an Internet service
provider, has been presented with The Internet Society's
prestigious Jonathan B. Postel Service Award for 2007
for his "Pioneering Work to Advance the Internet in
Africa."
The award, which consisted of an engraved crystal globe
and 20,000 dollars, was presented to him at the just
ended 70th meeting of the Internet Engineering Task
Force (IETF) of The Internet Society (TIS) in Vancouver,
Canada.
The citation that came with the award read: "The
Internet Society is proud to present the prestigious
Jonathan B. Postel Service Award for 2007 to Dr. Nii
Narku Quaynor, a pioneering Internet engineer for his
leadership in advancing Internet technology in Africa
and galvanizing technologists to improve Internet access
and capabilities throughout the continent".
Dr. Lynn St. Amour, TIS President who presented the
award, said Dr. Quaynor had selflessly pioneered
Internet development and expansion throughout Africa for
nearly two decades, enabling profound advances in
information access, education, healthcare and commerce
for African countries and their citizens.
"Today, Dr. Quaynor continues to champion not just
technological advances but also ensures African
involvement in Internet standards, processes and
deployments as well as discussion on Internet policies
and regulations, and that African interests are well
represented globally."
Dr. Amour said the award was also in recognition of the
fact that Dr. Aynor had shaped a community of Africans
who share his vision and reflect the dedication shown by
Jon Postel, first winner of the award.
Dr. Quaynor expressed his gratitude to TIS saying, "I am
humbled by the award and what Jon Postel represents to
our community in Africa and I thank the Internet Society
for the recognition and I am very pleased to be
associated with Jon's memorial."
He said Jon Postel's efforts and the global view he
maintained on the operation of the domain name system
and the numbering services assured that Africa would
share in the Internet growth and early.
"We will work to develop more African engineers to meet
the fast network growth needs of the region, being a
late starter, and to join the technical policy
processes. Our overall objective is to strengthen
education and research in network technologies in
Africa," Dr. Quaynor said.
Dr. Quaynor's contribution to ICT in Africa goes beyond
NCS. He also established the computer science department
of the University of Cape Coast where he worked as a
professor of computer science.
He is the convener of the African Network Operators
Group (AfNOG), a network technology transfer institution
since 2000 and the founding Chairman of African Numbers
Registry (AfriNIC).
As a result of Dr. Quaynor's initiative since 1993,
there are more than 43 million
Internet users in Africa today.
The annual Internet Society award was named after the
late Dr. Jonathan B. Postel, first individual member of
The Internet Society for his extraordinary stewardship
and immense contribution throughout his 30 years career
in networking, which made him one of the forerunners of
today's internet.
TIS established the award to honour those who have made
outstanding contributions in service to the data
communications community. It focuses on sustained and
substantial technical contributions, service to the
community, and leadership.
This year's award was sponsored in part by Afilias
Global Registry Services.
The Internet Society is an independent international
non-profit organization founded in 1992 to provide
leadership in Internet related standards in education,
and policy. It has offices in Washington, DC, and Geneva
with more than 80 chapters worldwide.
GNA
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