SYDNEY, Australia -- 5 June 2001 -- Victoria's Box Hill Institute has been chosen as the lead computer networking training centre in the Asia Pacific region within Cisco Systems' global Networking Academies Program.
As one of only three Super Cisco Academy Training Centres (Super-CATC's) in the world, the Institute will be responsible for quality assurance and program enhancements at more than 500 Networking Academies located around Asia. Its reach will extend from India and China to Australia, New Zealand and even Hawaii as part of the Pacific region.
Officially announcing the Institute's new status today, Post Compulsory Education, Training and Employment Minister Lynne Kosky said the Institute would be positioned as a world player in IT education.
"Building a culture of innovation and developing a leading-edge IT skill base State is one of the key aims outlined in the Bracks Government's strategy – Skilling Victoria for the Information Age," Ms Kosky said.
"The new partnership between Box Hill Institute and Cisco is an excellent example of how the public sector and industry can work together to achieve the Government's aim of positioning Victoria as the knowledge capital of the nation."
Box Hill will also contribute to the overall course curriculum and systems, now in use at more than 6,500 centres attended by over 155,000 people worldwide. Each Academy provides 280 hours of online and classroom-based instruction and successful graduates qualify as Cisco Certified Network Associates (CCNAs), a key industry certification.
The Box Hill Institute has a team of 11 Networking Academy instructors led by General Manager Mr John Italiano. According to the Institute's Chief Executive Officer John Maddock, Box Hill is now well positioned to become a major player in the delivery of technology education and training throughout Victoria, Australia and the region.
"The Cisco Network Academy program is one of the largest e-Learning projects in history, contributing to skills growth and enhanced employment opportunities for Victorians and Australians," said Mr Maddock.
He added that the Super-CATC's location in Box Hill meant there would be a greater opportunity to ensure the international curriculum met Australia's specific needs and that the deployment of the Networking Academy Program to metropolitan and regional areas of Victoria, Australia and the Asia Pacific nations would be enhanced.
Mr Terry Walsh, Cisco Managing Director Australia & New Zealand said Box Hill TAFE's elevation to Super-CATC was a crowning achievement, not only for the TAFE but also for Australian IT education generally. "It is a tremendous reflection of Cisco's confidence in the Institute, its staff and its management of the program," he said.
"There are only two other Super-CATCs in the world; one in Europe and one in the United States," Mr Walsh added. "Box Hill Institute will now be in a position to influence the very heart of the Cisco Networking Academy Program by playing a pivotal role in the development of curriculum and strategic direction across the globe."
The New South Wales Government's Information and Communications Technology Strategic Skills Development Plan recently valued the deployment of curriculum and equipment at 20 of the state's Regional Networking Academies at A$880,000.
While the Victorian Government is yet to make a similar statement, Mr Maddock estimated that the Program's value to Victoria to be greater. He added that Box Hill Institute placed a high value on its link with Cisco as well as other industry leaders such as Aveda, Baker's Delight, NHP, Sidchrome and increasingly Dell Computer.
The Cisco Networking Academies Program is a 'grass roots' program designed to teach the basics of computer networking to a wide range of students via the Internet and through classroom contact. It was founded in 1997 using a US$20 million donation from Cisco after it was recognised that a lack of resources at many schools, higher education facilities and community centres was constraining the delivery of basic high technology education.
About Box Hill Institute
Box Hill Institute is one of Victoria's premier TAFE Institutes offering a complete education and training service to industry and the local community. Encompassing six main campuses in the Box Hill/Doncaster region, the Institute accommodates over 28,794 students from within Australia and overseas. The Institute also has extended campus agreements with 28 secondary schools and offers over 160 full and part time courses as well as approximately 300 short courses. All courses provide students with a variety of pathways to employment, promotion and further tertiary study.
About Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Cisco news and information are available at www.cisco.com.
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Cisco, Cisco Systems and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.
