UMS one of 12 educational institutions in Asia Pacific selected under the ITU's initiative to address IT skills shortage
KOTA KINABALU, Malaysia - February 14, 2003 - Cisco Systems and University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) have launched the Internet Training Centre Initiative for Developing Countries (ITCI-DC) in Malaysia. UMS is the only education institution in Malaysia and one of 12 institutions in Asia Pacific to be selected under the scheme. Officiating at the event today was YAB Datuk Chong Kah Kiat, Chief Minister of Sabah.
The ITCI-DC was started by the ITU to address the acute shortage of skilled networking and IT professionals in the developing world. The initiative is a model for public-private partnership to bridge the Digital Divide and aims to establish 50 Internet training centres in educational institutions such as UMS around the world by 2003. Cisco Systems' Cisco Networking Academy Program is the only IT education program being delivered at ITU's Internet training centres at present.
"UMS is honored to be selected to participate in the Internet Training Centre initiative," said Tan Sri Prof. Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Abu Hassan Othman, Vice Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Sabah. "Our university was established with the express objective to train and qualify experts in science, technology and management to meet the nation's Vision 2020 goal. Adding the world class curriculum from the Cisco Networking Academy Program will greatly enhance our ability to meet our objectives."
The Cisco Networking Academy Program curriculum that UMS will be offering consists of a 280-hour course that trains students and in-transition workers to design, build, and maintain computer networks. The Program is an e-learning model that delivers web-based educational content, online testing, student performance tracking, hands-on labs, and instructor training and support. It is available in eight languages including English, Chinese and Japanese. The program provides students with IT knowledge and practical training they need for employment in professional networking occupations.
"Cisco is committed to ensuring that the next generation of professionals and workers are equipped with the necessary skills for success in the Internet economy. Together with international organizations such as ITU, educational institutions such as UMS and governments, the Cisco Networking Academy Program is providing access to everyone regardless of their geography, age, gender, socio-economic status, and their level of access to technology. The program is helping to bridge the digital divide," said Johnson Khoo, managing director, Cisco Systems Malaysia.
More than 10,300 Academies operate in 149 countries worldwide. More than 400,000 students are currently enrolled and 143,000 have graduated from the program globally. In Asia Pacific, more than 71,000 students from 24 countries are currently enrolled, with about 28,000 graduates to date. In Malaysia where the Program was launched recently, there are now over 1,200 currently enrolled students.
ITU first announced the ITCI-DC with Cisco in Geneva in 2001 and the program has since gained great momentum. Globally, 36 centres have signed on to the project during the past 18 months. In Asia-Pacific, 12 Internet Training Centres have been appointed in Bangladesh, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Philippines, and Samoa.
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