(20 January 2014) Monash University today became the first globally recognised organisation to be delegated a brand Top-Level Domain (TLD) by the internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the Internet’s global governing body.
The New TLD Program has been developed by ICANN to provide competition and choice to current Top-Level Domains such as .com, .info, .net, and .org. With over 1,900 applications received by ICANN, 2014 will see the staged release of approximately the first 1,000 Top-Level Domains to the internet ecosystem, seen as one of the largest changes to the internet since its inception.
Following a lengthy application process and detailed review of the University’s technical, operational and financial capabilities, the University has successfully been approved to own and operate the .monash TLD. The New TLD Program includes applications for other globally-influential .brand TLDs such as .google, .apple and .anz, as well as other generic Top-Level Domains such as .book, .melbourne and .cpa.
Vice President (Information) and Chief Information Officer at Monash, Dr Ian Tebbett, said ICANN’s delegation reflects the University’s commitment to embracing new technology and expansion in overseas education and research activities.
“The .monash global Top-Level Domain name will allow the University to manage all of its domain names under the global identity of Monash,” Dr Tebbett said.
“Monash recognises how the Internet has dramatically changed the world, including the education and research activities of the University.
“Greater control over our content and domains will strengthen our online presence and better represent Monash as a global institution.
“Monash University is an early adopter of new technologies and this is an innovation that will ultimately benefit users by allowing us to develop a new customer-focused University web presence.”
Monash is continuing to develop its first phase roll-out, with two .monash websites expected to go live in the near future. Subsequently, the University will gradually phase .monash into its digital communications, however will continue its current online presence of monash.edu.
The press release is here.
