| Computer Science and Software Engineering |  |
External Relations
University of Canterbury
NEWS RELEASE
1 August 2000
Internet network giant Cisco Systems New Zealand has provided $30,000 worth of network routing equipment to the University of Canterbury's Computer Science department to train students first hand.
Cisco's New Zealand manager John Lynch says the company is dedicated to addressing the worldwide shortage of people who can design, build and maintain computer networks.
"This shortage is likely to continue into the future and that's where educational institutions come in. If we can assist them in turning out graduates to meet industry demands, everyone wins - the graduate gains employment in a progressive industry, the industry fills a gap and the university has successfully catered to a demand."
Senior lecturer in Computer Science Ray Hunt says he is thrilled with Cisco's support, which will enable an Internet laboratory to be established alongside the department's computer security (or firewall) laboratory.
"It's very generous of Cisco to provide us with this specialised equipment and software support on permanent loan. Very few universities have this equipment and colleagues I've spoken to overseas are quite envious of our facilities."
"Students will now be able to work with the 'real thing' rather than with a simulated model to build the infrastructure needed for mini versions of the Internet. They will be able to set perimeters to test fallback procedures if a network goes down, just as would happen on the Internet."
UC Senior Lecturer in Computer Science Ray Hunt phone (03) 364 2347 or Cisco Systems NZ Manager John Lynch phone (04) 496 9009 or 029 555 222.