Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) will grant the honorary title ‘Dijkstra Fellow’ for the first time in its history. This edition David Chaum and Guido van Rossum will be awarded the Dijkstra Fellowship. Chaum ‘forefather of blockchain’ is well known for his groundbreaking research in the area of Privacy and Cryptology and the development of digital currency. Van Rossum created the world-famous programming language Python almost 30 years ago, when he was working at CWI.
With the Dijkstra Fellowship CWI aims to recognize the impact their groundbreaking work had on mathematics and computer science. Besides that, the Fellowship is a recognition for the contribution they made to CWI’s reputation as a pioneer in the area of Mathematics and Computer Science. The honorary title is named after former CWI researcher Edsger W. Dijkstra, who was one of the most influential scientists in the history of CWI by -next to other accomplishments- developing the shortest path algorithm.
David Chaum is a mathematician as well as a computer scientist and will receive the honorary title “Dijkstra Fellow” for his advanced research in the area of Privacy and Cryptology. By setting up the Cryptology research group at CWI in the early 80’s, he brought modern Cryptology to Europe. He is internationally recognized as the founder of digital currencies and blockchain technology. Spin-off Digicash emerged from his research work. Chaum developed eCash, the precursor of the bitcoin, under the flag of Digicash.
CWI awards Guido van Rossum with the Dijkstra Fellowship for the impact of his programming language Python. Python is currently one of the most used programming languages in the world. The language is valued by beginners as well as professionals and is especially valued for its usability. Python is ideal for applications in the field of AI. The language is available open source and has a globally active user community.
Jos Baeten, General Director CWI: ”Our institute aims to play a leading role in the area of mathematics and computer science research. Both Chaum and Van Rossum have contributed to this ambition like no other. And not only in the field of scientific research: we still feel the impact of their work in society every day. They deserve to be honored as the first “Dijkstra Fellows” like no other.”
Chaum and Van Rossum will receive the Dijkstra Fellowship during the CWI Soirée in the Scheepvaartmuseum in Amsterdam on Thursday 21 November (invitation only). The Fellows will both give a lecture on their work and their vision on future developments during the CWI Lectures on Cryptology and Programming on Thursday 21 (sold out) and 22 November.
Update 21 November 2019:
Guido van Rossum (left) en David Chaum accepting the Dijkstra Fellowship during the CWI Soirée on 21 November 2019.
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