Adding another jewel

Dr. Syeed Salam presents the CISCO curriculum to the first batch of students at the orientation

In addition to their own curriculum, BRAC University is now offering the CISCO Certified Network Associate (CCNA) programme, a programme recognised the world over for its quality.

The orientation programme was held on June 14 at the BRAC University building in Mohakhali.

The main objective of the course is to build up readily available specialized manpower in the networking sector. The programme may be undertaken by anyone having a minimum of a higher secondary degree, but then as it is a professional course, professionals and graduates are encouraged.

The duration of the entire CCNA course is basically eight months, equivalent to 280 hours of instructions as per Cisco guidelines and divided into four modules, to be taught in four semesters. The four modules are Networking Basics, Routers and Routing Basics, Switching Basics and Intermediate Routing and lastly WAN Technologies.

"It is our aim to ensure quality training in every phase so that students get proper theoretical and hand-on practical experience that may help them be leaders in relevant fields," said Dr. Sayeed Salam, project head of the CCNA programme.

The opening ceremony was attended among others by the Cisco Networking Academy Country Co-ordinator Erika Hoffman-Kiess, Assistant Resident Representative of UNDP Dr. Najmus S. Sadiq and the former country co-ordinator Katakam Madhukar.

"We congratulate BRAC on being a part of the Cisco family worldwide. It is also heartening to see the gradual interest of people in our networking curriculum," said Hoffman-Kiess.

Dr.Najmus Sadiq provided an insight into the role of UNDP in ICT. "We all have our own parts to play in the ICT development of the country," said Dr. Sadiq.

The goal of all Cisco academies, worldwide, is to prepare students for industry standards and enrich the skill set required to succeed in a changing economy.

Up until a few years ago, the only Cisco academy in Southeast Asia was in Hyderabad. In our country BUET was the pioneer in opening up such an academy. Now, besides BRAC, some other universities like Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) and AIUB are also authorised networking academies of Cisco.

Established in 2001, BRAC University is as yet a young institution but has come quite far in a very short time. Dedicated to providing broad based education and armed with excellent lab facilities together with class resources, it is expected that the university will succeed in its latest endeavour.