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 te chnical 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. 10 Dec 07