CNA and Cisco Systems collaborate:
1/14/2008 10:05:37 AM
Partners prepare students for Information Technology and Engineering Technology careers
College of the North Atlantic (CNA) is pleased to announce a partnership with Cisco Systems Inc., the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. The partnership, made possible by the training of CNA faculty (in Telecommunications Engineering and Information Technology), gives CNA the title of Regional Cisco Networking Academy. Through its academy status, CNA will be able to offer Cisco’s official internationally recognized curriculum to prepare students for networking and IT-related careers in the public and private sectors, as well as for higher education in engineering, computer science and related fields.
According to Cisco, the network is rapidly becoming the platform for all communications, collaboration and interactions. Today''s networks are growing in complexity and customers are demanding integrated technology skills and full lifecycle services approach to implementing business solutions.
“Jobs of the future will go where there is an educated workforce, an infrastructure and a supportive government,” said Cisco President and CEO John Chambers. “That’s why it’s so important that today’s students get the skills needed for the jobs of the 21st century.”
CNA sees implementation of the Cisco Networking Academy curriculum into IT and Engineering Technology programs as a fantastic opportunity for CNA students, faculty and staff.
“Industry-based skills training with state-of-the-art equipment allows our students to gain real-world experience. Along with delivery from our expert faculty who will be Cisco trained, our partnership with Cisco gives the graduates we are producing a competitive edge in today''s aggressive job market," says Jackie Reid, Information Technology instructor at CNA.
Launched in 1997, the Cisco Networking Academy program has grown to include more than 10,000 academies in 151 countries, with curricula taught in nine languages. Over 400,000 students are active in high schools, colleges and universities, technical schools, community-based organizations, and other educational programs around the world. The academy’s blended learning model integrates face-to-face teaching with a challenging web-based curriculum, hands-on lab exercises, and Internet-based assessment.
“Business and industry rely on networks to deliver data, voice, process control, and a growing list of applications,” says Keith Bussey, Telecommunications Engineering Technology instructor at CNA. “Today’s technologists must be ready to work with end systems and the networks that connect them.”
Telecommunications companies are continuing to migrate towards Voice Over IP Based Multimedia Systems (IMS) that merge analog and digital subsystems using IP technologies.
“In this industry it is imperative that technologist graduates enter the workplace with the skill set that enables them to interface Internet technologies with PSTN and cellular networks. These industry certifications will provide those skills and knowledge, while equipping graduates with internationally recognized credentials," says Gary Tulk, president of the Association of Engineer ring Technician and Technologists of Newfoundland and Labrador (AETTNL).
“This partnership with Cisco Systems, an industry leading provider of network solutions, is another example of CNA’s commitment to providing our students with state-of-the-art curriculum and training opportunities,” said Mary Vaughan, Dean of Business and Information Technology. The curriculum will be integrated into the appropriate Information Technology and Engineering Technology programs thereby providing students access to the Cisco curriculum.
Currently, College of the North Atlantic is a regional academy, with Prince Philip Drive and Ridge Road campuses in St. John’s designated as local academies. The college’s Corner Brook and Grand Falls-Windsor campuses will soon be linked and therefore will also carry the local academy title. Early in the new year CNA plans a roll out to its other campuses in the province.
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For more information contact:
Stephen Lee
Marketing and Communications Manager
College of the North Atlantic
709 643.7721
Or
Tanya Alexander
Public Information Officer
College of the North Atlantic
709 643.7928