กรุงเทพฯ--10 มิ.ย.--AIT
Visiting the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and Thailand for the first time, Chairman of the Board of Internet Coporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), Dr. Steve Crocker, described the work done by AIT’s intERLab as “very impressive” and exciting.
The work and the training programs are wonderful, the visionary Internet guru remarked during his visit to AIT recently (5 June 2013). Meeting the Acting President Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, he stated that Prof. Kanchana Kanchanasut was a “very highly regarded” person who was known throughout the world. Expressing admiration for Prof. Kanchana, AIT’s Acting Vice President for Research and the Director of the Internet Education and Research Laboratory (intERLab), Dr. Crocker also commended her team’s work at intERLab.
Dr. Crocker, who has been involved in the Internet since its inception, was part of the team that developed the protocols for the Arpanet and laid the foundation for today's Internet.
AIT’s Acting President Prof. Worsak who welcomed the ICANN delegation to AIT, described the origin, mission and vision of the Institute. He elaborated on AIT’s relation with American Universities in general and with the Colorado State University (CSU) in particular. Dr. Crocker showed keen interest in the origin and growth of AIT and the role it has played in Asia.
Tracing the history of Internet, Dr. Crocker highlighted how Prof. Worsak’s Alma Mater University of California, Berkeley had a partnership with Bell Laboratories and how it paved the way for the spread of UNIX Operating System. The openness of the platform helped in the expansion of ARPANET to other regions, and this laid the foundation of Internet.
Prof. Kanchana, while highlighting the role of AIT, stated that the focus had been on human resource development in this field. So far, we have trained scores of Internet engineers, but it has been low-key, she said, adding that AIT now wants to expand in this area.
Dr. Crocker was accompanied by John Crain, ICANN’s Senior Director, Security, Stability and Resilience. Crain, who has trained and lectured at AIT and intERLab, was keen to know about AIT’s experience with coping with the 2011 flood.
ICANN delegates were provided with an overview of the research and training activities at intERLab. The use of wireless mesh networking while using the credit-card-sized single-board computer Raspberry Pi was described as “wonderful” by Dr. Crocker. Other research highlights that were showcased included Disaster Emergency Communication while using mobile ad-hoc networks and peer-to-peer networks without the use of centralized servers. Vehicular Networks and Services, which includes vehicle to vehicle communication was also highlighted, along with the range of training programs offered.
Photo caption: Dr. Steve Crocker with the computer from where the first email was sent in Thailand.