Prolific Computer Science pioneer named Emeritus Professor

07 Jul 2015 - 09:35:25 in Achievement
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Nearly 40 years since he began lecturing Computer Science at Victoria University in 1977, Professor John Hine has become an integral part of both the academic environment and the daily hustle and bustle of university life. You could describe him as a greatly-respected 'part of the furniture' – in the most positive sense of the phrase – although the enterprising academic does not sit still for long.

Now Professor Hine, widely regarded as a pioneer of the Internet and a leading advocate of Computer Science education in New Zealand, has been awarded the honorary title of Emeritus Professor. The accolade follows a long, illustrious career spanning many decades and including numerous services to his field and, in particular, to Victoria University.

Professor Hine's contribution began in the 1970s when organisations began to realise that it was necessary to educate more people in the field of Computer Science. He responded proactively to that need and in 1984 was appointed the foundation Professor of Computer Science.

Since then Professor Hine's multiple roles have included Chair of the Department of Computer Science, Head of the School of Mathematics and Computer Science, Head of the School of Engineering and Computer Science, Dean of Engineering and Director of eResearch.

He has also been involved in the development of the Internet in New Zealand, including establishing an inter-university online network in the early 1980s. This later evolved into the backbone of New Zealand's Internet and email services. Professor Hine's associated commercial company Netlink was sold in 1999, bringing a substantial financial boost to Victoria.

In the late nineties, Professor Hine was a member of the Domainz Board, the company that initially managed New Zealand's domain name space. From 2000 he was instrumental in founding the Kiwi Advanced Research Network (KAREN) and has since been made a KAREN fellow.

Professor Hine's contribution to the development of Computer Science education and the Internet in New Zealand is truly exemplary and an example of academic leadership at its best and most exciting. He is held in high regard by staff, students and the ICT community both in Wellington and more broadly in New Zealand.

We ask you to join us in congratulating him on being awarded the status of Emeritus Professor in recognition of his outstanding achievements.

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