LAHORE, The innovative efforts of Dr. Zartash Afzal Uzmi, Associate Professor at the Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering (SBASSE), Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), and his dedicated team, aimed at enhancing internet efficiency in Pakistan, have earned them the Information Society Innovation Fund (ISIF Asia) award. The recognition came at the Internet Governance Forum held in Kyoto, Japan earlier this month. Their ground-breaking work promises to reduce communication delays and improve the direction of web and social media traffic.
According to a news release by LUMS University, the team’s persistent work over six years has brought forth solutions to persistent internet inefficiencies faced by many Pakistanis. Their accolade was for advancing Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) in the Asia-Pacific region. Along with the prestigious award, Dr. Uzmi received a cash prize of USD 5,000 on behalf of the LUMS team.
Mr. David Dawson, Senior Communications Coordinator at the APNIC Foundation, remarked on the selection criteria, stating that the 2023 focus was on initiatives that promoted the development of Internet Exchange Points in the Asia-Pacific region.
Under Dr. Uzmi’s leadership, the team has effectively utilized advanced networking technology, specifically Software Defined Networking, in a lab setting. Their proprietary software package is designed to reduce operating costs through automation. Collaborating closely with Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA), the team has initiated the deployment of three Internet Exchange Points, with the most recent launch taking place at the Punjab Information Technology Board in Lahore on August 18, 2023. These IXPs, essential for the region, enable smaller internet service providers to exchange data without resorting to larger service providers, promoting both efficiency and economic benefits.
Expressing gratitude for the supportive environment at LUMS, Dr. Uzmi emphasized the value of collaboration and commended the inputs from Dr. Ihsan Ayyub Qazi, Associate Professor at SBASSE, and Haider Ali, a student at the Department of Computer Science, LUMS.
Dr. Sabieh Anwar, Dean of SBASSE, reflected on the significance of this achievement, emphasizing the critical role of reliable internet for economies like Pakistan. He lauded Dr. Uzmi’s contribution, noting it as a testament to high-impact research that has the potential to reshape the nation’s internet landscape.
LUMS expressed its heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Uzmi and his team, with hopes for their continued success in innovating for the greater good of Pakistan’s internet users.