UNIMED one of 15 educational institutions in Asia Pacific selected under the ITU's initiative to address IT skills shortage
MEDAN, Indonesia - June 2, 2003 - Cisco Systems, the International Telecoms Union (ITU) and the State University of Medan (UNIMED) have launched the Internet Training Centres Initiative for Developing Countries (ITCI-DC) in Indonesia. UNIMED is one of 15 educational institutions in Asia Pacific to be selected under the scheme. Officiating at the event today was Ms. Sri Woro B. Harijono, Deputy Minister of Research and Technology for Research and Technology Program.
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 UNIMED 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.
"UNIMED is honored to be selected to participate in the Internet Training Centre initiative," said Prof Djanius Djamin, Rector of UNIMED. "Our university plays a vital national development role of training and qualifying experts in science, technology and the arts to meet the human resource needs of Indonesia. 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 UNIMED 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 UNIMED 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 Irfan Setiaputra, managing director, Cisco Systems Indonesia.
More than 10,800 Academies operate in 152 countries worldwide. About 470,000 students are currently enrolled and 152,000 have graduated from the program globally. In Asia Pacific, more than 79,000 students from 24 countries are currently enrolled, with about 31,000 graduates to date. In Indonesia, there are now over 60 Cisco Networking Academies with over 2,000 students currently enrolled.
ITU first announced the ITCI-DC with Cisco in Geneva in 2001 and the program has since gained great momentum. Globally, 47 centres have signed on to the project during the past 18 months. In Asia-Pacific, 15 Internet Training Centres have been appointed in Bangladesh, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Philippines, and Samoa.
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