AARNet announces $20,000 additional sponsorship of 2009 Eckermann-TJA Prize

AARNet, Australia's Academic and Research Network, has announced it will be providing $20,000 worth of in-kind network services for the winner of the 2009 Eckermann-TJA Prize.The prize calls for papers which demonstrate the tangible benefits that an innovative use of broadband communications technology can deliver in supporting a sustainable environment.

The $20,000 worth of AARNet network services will be available to the 2009 prize-winning entrant for one year, to bolster his/her research program. This will accompany the $20,000 cash prize awarded to the winner by Alcatel-Lucent, major sponsor of this year’s competition.

Professor Peter Gerrand, Managing Editor of the Telecommunications Journal of Australia, said, “We at TJA are delighted by AARNet’s contribution of $20,000 in network services to this year’s winner of the Eckermann-TJA Prize. This should greatly benefit the organisation that employs the researchers who contribute the winning paper for this year’s prize, whether they are based in industry or academia. It also increases the global reach and value of the prize.”

Guido Aben, Director of eResearch for AARNet, said, “AARNet is pleased to be able to support the academic and research community by offering this in-kind sponsorship to the winner of this year’s Eckermann-TJA Prize. With this sponsorship, AARNet is offering to consult with the winner to help them lift their e-research to the next level, through the concerted allocation of state-of-the-art network resources.

“AARNet’s portfolio of resources contains leading-edge products such as international light paths and high-definition video conferencing. $20,000 worth of such resources should make a tangible difference to the winning researcher.”

The Eckermann-TJA Prize calls for papers up to 6000 words, which are judged by a panel chaired by Professor Peter Gerrand, Managing Editor of the Telecommunications Journal of Australia, and including Robin Eckermann (former Chief Architect, TransACT), Dr Mike Dennis (Australian National University), Associate Professor Craig McDonald (University of Canberra) and Ric Clark (Chief Technology Officer, Alcatel Lucent Australia).

Previous winners of the prize have demonstrated significant environmental benefits through the use of broadband, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through grid-charged, electrically-powered passenger vehicles, water-efficiency improvements in irrigation and the reduction of energy consumption in mobile networks.

The competition is open until 3 November 2009.