Florencio Utreras Receives the 2011 Outstanding Achievement Award
03/11/2011
The Chilean scientist played a key role in the integration of academic networks through the Internet.
Oscar Messano, Florencio Utreras and Raúl Echeberría
Florencio Utreras, the Chilean scientist, received the 2011 Outstanding Achievement Award for his constant contribution to the development of the Information Society in Latin America and the Caribbean and his tireless work in benefit of the Internet community.
Since 2009, LACNIC annually honors members of the Internet community who have continuously produced relevant contributions and who, thanks to their concrete achievements, have become an example for the region.
The award was presented during an emotional ceremony that took place during the LACNIC XVI meeting held in Buenos Aires.
Florencio Utreras Díaz, who holds a graduate degree in Mathematics and Engineering and a PhD in Engineering, has been the Executive Director of CLARA, the Latin American Advanced Networks Cooperation, since 2004. Since his graduation, Florencio has participated actively both in his country as well as throughout the region, initially as a lecturer and later focusing on what would become his core activity –building computer networks to help develop academic knowledge and research.
The decision to present the award to Florencio Utreras Días was made unanimously by the judging panel made up by Carlos Afonso (Brazil, recipient of the 2010 Outstanding Achievement Award), Ida Holz (Uruguay, recipient of the 2009 Outstanding Achievement Award), José Soriano (Peru), Raimundo Beca (Chile), and Sylvia Cadena (Colombia). The judging panel’s decision highlighted the excellence of this year’s nominated candidates, all of whom have made relevant contributions to Internet development throughout the continent. “Nevertheless, this time the nature and stature of the recipient allowed us to quickly reach a unanimous decision”, noted the panel in its decision.
The winner of the 2011 Outstanding Achievement Award has been involved in Internet development and Academic Networks in the American continent for more than twenty years and has received several awards for his contribution to the dissemination of Internet technology and research networks. He played a key role in connecting Chile to global computer networks, leading the incorporation to Bitnet in 1987 and coordinating the FONDEF Project for strengthening the National University Network which allowed creating a 64-kbps link for REUNA members in 1992. In 1997 he promoted a strategic alliance between REUNA and CTC Mundo (currently Telefonica), which allowed creating REUNA2 –a broadband network from Arica to Osorno, at the time considered to be the largest in Latin America.
In 1992 he contributed to the creation of REUNA (the first Latin American and Caribbean academic network). He was then part of the first CLARA Board of Directors and later competed for the position of Executive Director which he assumed in 2004 and from which he is making an invaluable contribution to the connection of all academic networks in Latin America and the Caribbean.