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7/14/25, 11:31 AM Ajman University secures ICANN grant to develop global internet security system – The Gulf Time Newspaper
Ajman University secures ICANN grant to develop

global internet security system

AJMAN / WAM

Ajman University has secured a prestigious international grant from the Internet Corporation for Assigned

Names and Numbers (ICANN) worth US$410,300, in the inaugural cycle of the ICANN Grant Program.

This competitive international award, secured through the dedicated efforts of Prof. Rao Naveed Bin Rais

from the College of Engineering and Information Technology, will support the development of a

groundbreaking system to archive and analyse global data related to the Domain Name System Security

Extensions (DNSSEC) — a vital cybersecurity protocol that safeguards the integrity of Internet

infrastructure.
The project aims 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.
This milestone reinforces Ajman University’s global standing, particularly as it enabled the University to

obtain U.S.-equivalent charitable organisation status — a prerequisite for applying to this grant. This

designation aligns with AU’s identity as a non-profit academic institution and paves the way for securing

additional international funding opportunities that support its academic and community missions.

Being the only awardee from both the Middle East and the only university from the Asia highlights the

University’s ability to compete at the highest levels in fields such as cybersecurity and Internet governance.

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