SINGAPORE - November 26, 2008 - Demonstrating the powerful collaborative capabilities of the network, Cisco is organising its first-ever regional networking skills competition, Asia Pacific NetRiders 2008, over Cisco TelePresenceTM and Cisco WebExTM. The competition will feature 45 participants representing 15 countries in the Asia Pacific region challenging each other for the top prize of an all-expenses-paid trip to the United States as well as bragging rights for the next 12 months.
Asia Pacific NetRiders is an annual competition held by the Cisco® Networking Academy® program, a comprehensive e-learning program that enables students to develop valuable information and communications technology (ICT) skills for increased access to opportunities in the global economy. Since 1997, Networking Academy has grown to reach a diverse population of approximately 800,000 students each year in more than 160 countries. The competition tests the capability and skill levels of Networking Academy students in the area of computer network hardware design, configuration, development, and maintenance, all of which are covered in the Networking Academy curriculum.
Competing for the first time is Cambodia, where the inaugural Cambodia NetRiders 2008 competition was recently concluded. The competition featured 140 students from the Institut de Technologie du Cambodge, the National Institute of Development Authority, YEJJ Training, Enfant du Mekong, and Pannasastra University of Cambodia.
"We are really pleased to finally complete the first skills competition in Cambodia because it demonstrates that the Networking Academy program has taken root in the country. Its fantastic to have a team from Cambodia competing in Asia Pacific NetRiders. Cisco Networking Academy has made a positive impact on people's lives by encouraging career advancement, improving access to the Internet, supporting the growth of the ICT industry, and promoting sustainable economic development in the communities in which it operates. Asia Pacific NetRiders celebrates the talent that the Networking Academy community is fostering in the region," said Sandy Walsh, head of Education and Corporate and Social Responsibility for Cisco in Asia Pacific.
The competition involves two levels of testing. The first level is a multiple-choice online examination as well as an online test using Packet Tracer 5.0 (network configuration through computer simulation). The next level requires hands-on troubleshooting with preconfigured networks.
The unique feature about this year's competition is that will be conducted virtually for the first time over Cisco TelePresence and Cisco WebEx on Nov. 27. Cisco TelePresence is a ground-breaking technology that utilises the latest in video and audio techniques to establish real-time, live, in-person communications. WebEx® provides on-demand collaboration applications that enable individuals, small businesses and enterprise organizations to use the Web as an efficient channel for interaction with their customers, partners and co-workers.
The Asia Pacific NetRiders competition has traditionally produced talent that match the best the world has to offer. The past few winners from Singapore NetRiders, for example, not only went on to represent Singapore at the widely respected WorldSkills Competition but also emerged WorldSkills champions. This year's Singapore NetRiders team from Nanyang Polytechnic will also represent Singapore in WorldSkills Calgary in 2009.
