BT becomes founding sponsor of Web Science Research Initiative

Telecomworldwire, July 8, 2008

TELECOMWORLDWIRE-8 July 2008-BT becomes founding sponsor of Web Science Research Initiative(C)1994-2008 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD http://www.m2.com

BT, a provider of communications solutions and services, became on Monday (7 July) a founding sponsor of the Web Science Research Initiative, an international body established to promote the science and development of the World Wide Web.

The Web Science Research Initiative (WSRI), established by sir Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, with co-directors Nigel Shadbolt, Wendy Hall and Danny Weitzner, is understood to exist to promote the study of 'Web Science', a new academic discipline focusing on the analysis, engineering and social impact of the World Wide Web.

The initiative, which is jointly hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, and Southampton University, UK, will reportedly bring experts in the world of computer science and communications to create the curriculum for a new generation of web scientists.

The aim of WSRI is to examine all areas of human interaction with the web, including the social impact that has resulted from the growth of web access and the potential of new technologies to expand the World Wide Web's boundaries and drive the social interactions of an interconnected world.

An important role for the founding sponsors will be to help WSRI develop new Web Science curricula to ensure that it is training future generations of web scientists to meet the needs of industry, said Berners-Lee.

No financial details were disclosed.

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