Cisco backs UNSW network engineers
Hot on the heels of Huawei's announcement that it is partnering with RMIT to train the next generation of network engineers, Cisco has announced a similar arrangement with the University of New South Wales.
Kevin Bloch and Eliathamby Ambikairaja (Credit: Cisco)
The university and the networking specialist have developed the new course to act on a shortfall in network engineers able to handle projects like the National Broadband Network and technologies like the cloud, according to a release on the deal.
"Students learn about various networking methods and technologies, but this new course teaches them how to integrate this knowledge to design, analyse and verify entire systems that address user and business requirements while meeting cost constraints and future expansion need," head of UNSW's School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunications Professor Eliathamby Ambikairajah said in a statement.
Kevin Bloch, chief technology officer, Cisco Australia and New Zealand, said demand for skilled engineers was rising as technology became more complex.
"Unfortunately, we have found a lack of sufficient industry training to address these important trends, so Cisco has collaborated with UNSW to create this course that we believe will have widespread industry appeal," he said in a statement.
The university has already had to increase the number of students able to participate in the course after 24 students signed up in the 10 days it had been advertised, according to Ambikairajah, who also said that Cisco would be conducting some of the lectures.
Bloch said this was the first time the company had partnered with an Australian university for such an arrangement.