26 February 2009

	Professor Gernot Heiser.

UNSW’s School of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) has appointed Professor Gernot Heiser to the inaugural John Lions Chair in Computer Science.

Professor Heiser, a specialist in operating systems for embedded computer systems at CSE, is currently researching with NICTA, Australia’s Information and Communications Technology Centre of Excellence. He is also the Chief Technical Officer of embedded software spin-off company Open Kernel Labs.

As the first occupant of the John Lions Chair, Professor Heiser will have a focus on research in embedded operating systems for devices such as mobile phones. CSE will also benefit from his considerable links with industry

Head of the School of CSE, Professor Paul Compton, said Professor Heiser is a world leader in his field and a fitting holder of the John Lions Chair.

“John Lions’ focus was on the study of operating systems and the way he did that was the precursor to the Open Source movement,” he said.

“Gernot’s research is on Open Source operating systems and is carrying through into the industrial uptake of embedded systems.”

The John Lions Chair was established as a result of a seven-year campaign by CSE alumni to commemorate the remarkable career contributions of the late Associate Professor Lions to computing around the world.

“The reason for setting up the Chair was that former students of John Lions wanted to honour his memory and the critical contributions he made to how you study operating systems,” he said.

John Lions lectured in Computer Science at UNSW from 1972 to 1995, when he retired due to poor health. During the mid-1970s he wrote a book on the UNIX computer code that became an internationally sought-after “technical bible” for computer students, hackers and professionals and was a major contribution to the development of Open Source software.

UNSW alumnus and former student of Associate Professor Lions, Greg Rose, is now Vice President of Technology at US digital wireless communications company Qualcomm Incorporated. Qualcomm was a major contributor to the establishment of the Chair, donating more than $US500,000. A number of other students also worked to raise money and contributed substantial sums.

To make a donation to support the John Lions Chair click here http://www.cse.unsw.edu.au/JohnLions/#
Media Contact: Peter Trute | 9385 1933 | p.trute@unsw.edu.au