Ajman University has been awarded a prestigious international grant of $410,300 by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) as part of the inaugural cycle of the ICANN Grant Program.
This highly competitive international grant was secured through the dedicated efforts of Prof. Rao Naveed Bin Rais from the College of Engineering and Information Technology at Ajman University.
The funding will support the development of an innovative system designed to archive and analyze global data related to Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC), a vital cybersecurity protocol that protects the integrity of the Internet’s infrastructure.
The project intends to build a 24×7 operational platform that analyzes historical DNSSEC data, identifies vulnerabilities, and highlights gaps in its global implementation. This first-of-its-kind system will offer diagnostic tools with visual analysis, helping enhance DNSSEC adoption worldwide.
Ajman University is the only institution in the Middle East to receive this grant, and one of just 23 selected entities out of 247 global applicants. Out of 23 entities, only 3 are selected from Asia, including Ajman University.
Moreover, AU is also among the only five universities worldwide to receive the award, including three from Europe, one from Latin America, and Ajman University as the sole representative from Asia.
The grant-funded project marks a major enhancement to Ajman University’s research and technological infrastructure. It focuses on developing the world’s first passive, integrated system for collecting and analyzing DNSSEC data. Once operational, the platform is expected to significantly elevate the University’s international profile as it becomes a valuable resource for the global Internet community.
According to the statement, the project will also include the establishment of a high-tech hardware lab on campus, further strengthening AU’s capacity for applied research and innovation in digital infrastructure.
