Honouring a pioneer who advanced Internet technologies and information access for Chinese research and educational communities.
IETF 78 served as the backdrop for the 2010 Jonathan B. Postel Service Award. Chinese technologist Jianping Wu received the prestigious award for his pioneering role advancing Internet technology, deployment, and education in China and the rest of Asia Pacific over the past 20 years.
Dr. Wu’s best-known contribution is in the form of the China Education and Research Network (CERNET), which he designed and developed and which became the first Internet backbone network in China. Created to establish a nationwide advanced network infrastructure for the support of education and research among universities, CERNET has since become the world’s largest national academic network. Since 1998, Dr. Wu has devoted much of his time to the design and development of a large-scale native IPv6 backbone in China that now connects more than 200 universities and millions of users.
“Jianping Wu has dedicated his career in China to developing a broadly accessible Internet that brings people together,” said Internet Society president and CEO Lynn St. Amour. “Twenty years ago, Dr. Wu recognized the importance of the Internet and the pivotal role it would play in terms of its impact on social reform, technology advancement, and economic growth for China. He has worked tirelessly to bring his vision to life. As a result, the networks that sprang from his determination and hard work have played an important role in driving Internet development in China and have had a significant impact on the Internet worldwide.”
The Internet Society presented the award, including a USD 20,000 honorarium and a crystal engraved globe, to Dr. Wu during the IETF 78 plenary in Maastricht, Netherlands, in July 2010.
The Postel Award was established by the Internet Society to honour individuals or organizations that, like Jon Postel, have made outstanding contributions in service to the data communications community.
This article was posted on 31 January 2011