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7/14/25, 11:31 AM Ajman University secures ICANN grant to develop global internet security system – UAE Business and Travel Insights – TotalUAE.…

Ajman University secures ICANN grant to develop global internet

security system

BY CONTENT ADMIN

AJMAN, 11th July, 2025 (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.

The grant-funded project represents a significant addition to the University’s research and technological
infrastructure. It involves the development of a passive, integrated system to collect and analyze DNSSEC data
— the first of its kind globally — and is expected to boost AU’s international visibility as global Internet
community begins using the platform.

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.

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