Washington — (Business WireThe ninth and longest-serving NASA administrator and mobile network operator and infrastructure company Africell honored Daniel S. Enhancing freedom through trusted technology.
“The Institute was founded on the simple but profound belief that technology should promote freedom. The Tech Freedom Awards were born out of this belief,” Keith Krach, chairman and co-founder of the Krach Institute of Technology at Purdue, said at the awards gala. “I can think of no better technology diplomat than my dear friend of many years, Dan Goldin. In recognition of your commitment to protecting our national and economic security and the freedom of all, we salute you for your work on critical technologies, love you, and honor you with the Tech Freedom Award.
This year’s individual laureate, Dan Goldin, served as the longtime administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration from 1992 to 2001 and led a team of 16 nations that designed, built and launched the $120 billion International Space Station without any casualties or loss of life in space. NASA has led the development of new spacecraft for extended exploration of our solar system, deeper observations of our known universe, and precise observations of our own planet’s physical and biological dynamics. He spent his tenure building some of the major American astronomers of our time, including the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, the Chandra X-ray Telescope, the Hubble Space Telescope Rescue Mission, the Spitzer Infrared Space Telescope, and most recently the James Webb Space Telescope.
“Dan Goldin has dedicated his resources to mentoring talented young technology entrepreneurs who are working to ensure America’s supply chain relevance and global leadership,” he said. Bonnie Glick, director of the Krach Institute. “His mentorship will have a profound impact on the fields of space exploration, astrophysics and advanced technology and will ensure that American innovation will continue to advance trusted democratic principles for decades to come.”
The Krach Institute honored Africell, the only US-based mobile telecommunications operator in Africa, with its inaugural Corporate Award for its work in prioritizing secure network equipment for telecommunications operations in Africa. In partnership with trusted technology providers such as Nokia, Africell’s network infrastructure offers security and resiliency benefits in addition to speed and reliability. Africell currently operates in four markets: Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sierra Leone and The Gambia.
“In addition to China’s attempt to monopolize telecommunications and undermine the security of African countries, we have set an example for Africa by building the Democratic Clean Network Alliance, a technology diplomacy initiative at the State Department, to implement trusted technology,” said former Secretary of State Keith Kraut.
“Africell is at the forefront of prioritizing tools from organizations and countries that respect individual rights and the rule of law,” said Bonnie Glick. “Telecommunications is the most strategic sector in Africell’s labor markets. Indeed, for emerging market countries to compete, they need access to broadband. The availability of more trusted technologies in these markets makes them freer and safer thanks to Africell.
The Tech Freedom Awards coincide with the first anniversary of the Tech Diplomacy Institute at Purdue, the world’s leading institute focused on tech statecraft, a new model for advancing diplomacy by integrating high-tech strategies with foreign policy tools. Accepting trusted technology.
“The Institute for Tech Diplomacy has quickly become a leading authority on the training and application of tech statecraft. Our mission to advance freedom through trusted technology represents the fifth pillar of Purdue’s premier national security university.” Krath said at the gala. “The other four pillars are: leadership in national security technologies research, lab-to-business innovation capabilities, leadership in STEM education and workforce retraining, and pursuing innovative corporate partnerships. Purdue’s historic visit this week by Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, we had the opportunity to showcase those five pillars of national security and showcase the university’s leadership in semiconductor engineering and manufacturing.
During a visit to Purdue’s Birk Center for Nanotechnology, Secretary Blinken said: “Purdue is the most exciting and exciting place I’ve ever met. If you want a little optimism about our country, optimism about the future – it’s all here at Purdue. Asked about the importance of technology diplomacy, Purdue President Mitch Daniels said, “We want to make sure technology isn’t used for pain. To make sure technology is used in a way that reflects our values and to make sure we have the organization and talent to carry the day. That’s all part of technology diplomacy.”
“Purdue’s advanced research and workforce development programs are at the forefront of helping us shape the future of innovation in the U.S. semiconductor manufacturing industry,” said Secretary Raimondo. She concluded: “I have to tell you all how outraged we are by what we saw at Purdue.” Unbelievable. This is what America needs; The public sector works with the private sector, working with universities to develop the next generation of talent and solve problems in an interdisciplinary way. You have all the ingredients.
About the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue:
The nonpartisan Krach Institute at Purdue is committed to tech diplomacy on a mission to advance freedom through technologies and democratic principles. The Krach Institute leverages Purdue’s leadership in innovative research, entrepreneurship, STEM education, corporate partnerships, and national security to advance the fields of technology diplomacy and technology statecraft. It is the world’s leading institute focused on tech-statecraft, a new model of diplomacy that integrates high-tech strategies and foreign policy tools to mobilize partners, leverage the private sector, and promote democratic values based on trust.
For more information, visit www.techdiplomacy.org and follow the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue. TwitterLinkedIn and YouTube.
Editors/Producers: From Photos Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue Tech Freedom Awards are available upon request. Experts are available for media interviews to discuss the following topics: semiconductors, 5G/6G, artificial intelligence, energy/climate, hypersonics, quantum computing, rare earth elements, synthetic biology, integrated manufacturing, agricultural technology, global supply chain, cryptocurrency and International financial security.
