One winner and one category triumphed at the 2018 GÉANT Community Awards; this year’s awards panel had no hesitation in selecting the successful nominee in the category ‘impactful contributors to the GÉANT project or wider community activities over a sustained period of time’: the decision was unanimous.
Everyone on the GÉANT Cloud Team is proud of our own Andres Steijaert (SURFnet) the recipient of the 2018 GÉANT Community Award in the ‘impactful contributors to the GÉANT project or wider community activities over a sustained period of time’ category for his contribution to research and education networking. Andres is cloud activity leader in GÉANT, charged to oversee and coordinate the cloud collaboration of European NRENs in GÉANT and to make clouds safe and easy to use.
Working with limitless optimism and energy, but also great organizational and negotiating skills, Andres has driven the cloud project from the initial concept to its current active state. The unanimous decision of the panel of judges noted his “perseverance and dedication in the work undertaken to bring cloud offerings to the GÉANT community.” The Community Awards honour people who have contributed significant ideas, time and expertise to the development of the research and education networking community‘s collaborative achievements.
The award was presented on Monday, 11 June during TNC18’s opening plenary session in Trondheim, Norway.
While it was no surprise to those who work with him on the GÉANT project and at SURFnet, Andres’ reaction to the news was modest. “Receiving the GEANT Community award is big surprise,” he said “I am honoured and grateful, especially because this award shows the appreciation from the community. That means a lot to me.”
