Nii Quaynor
| Nii Narku Quaynor | |
|---|---|
 Prof. Nii Narku Quaynor | |
| Born | Nii Narku Quaynor |
| Occupation | Computer Scientist |
| Known for | Developing telecommunications and Internet in Africa |
| Title | Professor |
Prof. Nii Narku Quaynor is a scientist and engineer who has played an important role in the introduction and development of the Internet throughout Africa.
Biography
Prof. Quaynor graduated in engineering science from Dartmouth College in 1972 and received a Bachelor of Engineering degree from the Thayer School of Engineering there in 1973. He then studied Computer Science, obtaining an M.S. from the State University of New York at StonyBrook in 1974 and a Ph.D. from the same institution in 1977. He attended Adisadel College and Achimota School in Ghana
He is one of the founding members of the Computer Science Department at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, and continues to hold a professorship there.[1] He is also a member of the Council of the University of Ghana.
In 2000, he became director of ICANN for the African region.
Work with telecommunications and the Internet
On Quaynor's return to Ghana from the United States in the early 1990s he established some of Africa's first Internet connections and was involved in setting up some key organisations, including the African Network Operators Group (AfNOG).[2] He introduced Value Added Networks in the region through the introduction of the SWIFT, Internet and Commerce networks, and was founding chairman of AfriNIC, the African numbers registry.
Quaynor is the Chairman of the Ghanaian company Network Computer Systems, a member of the United Nations Secretary General Advisory Group on ICT, member of the ITU Telecom Board, Chair and of the OAU Internet Task Force, President of the Internet Society of Ghana, and member of the Worldbank Infodev TAP.
In December 2007, Quaynor was awarded the Jonathan B. Postel Service Award from the IETF (The Internet Engineering Task Force).[3]
Also on 26 June 2013, he was selected for induction into the Internet Hall of Fame by the Internet Society.[4]
Quaynor serves as a Commissioner for the Global Commission on Internet Governance.[5]
Awards and Recognition
He was awarded the 2015 ICANN Multi-stakeholder Ethos Award together with Cheryl Langdon Orr[6]
References
- ↑ Prof Nii Quaynor biography
- ↑ "Dr. Nii Quaynor Receives 2007 Jonathan B. Postel Service Award".
- ↑ "Nii Quaynor Awarded Postel Award 2007 | ICANN congratulates former board member on honor", ICANN, 11 December 2007.
- ↑ "Internet Hall of Fame Announces 2013 Inductees". Internet Hall of Fame. Internet Society. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
- ↑ Commissioners, Global Commission on Internet Governance.
- ↑ "Prof. Nii Quaynor wins prestigious ICANN award". www.myjoyonline.com. Myjoyonline. Retrieved 11 August 2015.