27 June 2005
A leading figure in computer science has been praised by industry experts for his work in designing ways to create a "more intelligent web".
Professor Ian Horrocks from the University of Manchester has been working on the 'Semantic Web', a new more intelligent version of the web, which has had analysts predicting it could revolutionise the Internet for society and business.
The system allows computers to communicate with each other using their own unique language by augmenting web pages with descriptions of their content.
According to reports, the new system will turn the web from a loosely connected set of pages into a huge and powerful knowledge base that can be exploited by computer agents and search engines.
One such benefit is expected to be the delivery of more accurate results from web-based search engines like google or yahoo.
The engineering and physical sciences research council (EPSRC) for 2005 has rewarded Professor Horrocks for his work by naming him as one of only six academics in the UK to receive a five-year senior research fellowship
Chris Taylor, head of computer science at Manchester, said: "We are delighted with Professor Horrocks' success in securing one of only six senior fellowships awarded nationally, across all of engineering and physical science.
"Ian is one of our research stars, with an international reputation for his work on the semantic web - technology that is set to transform the way people find and use information."
The high profile award is the second such recognition bestowed upon Professor Horrocks this year after he was also awarded the 2005 Roger Needham award, sponsored by Microsoft, for his research into the Semantic Web back in March.© DeHavilland Information Services plc
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