ExxonMobil donates state-of-the-art networking hardware to PNG University of Technology

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PARTNERSHIPS continue to be a key component in the process of producing quality education here at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology.

This was highlighted during the recent donation of premium Cisco computer  networking hardware to the university’s Mathematics and Computer Science  Department by ExxonMobil.

 ExxonMobil donated state-of-the-art networking
 hardware to PNG University of Technology [Photo by PNGUoT]

The Oil and Gas company’s equipment donation is estimated to be at almost one  million kina and will be used for both learning and operational purposes.

According to Computer Science Deputy Head of Department, Mr. Yaling Tapo, the  project was initiated back in 2019 when he was seeking sponsors to help build the  faculty’s capacity to cater for the increasing number of students.

Continuous dialogue with ExxonMobil’s Asset Management officer, Kimmy Ikwara,  saw the eventual implementation of the project this year.

“Back then we had a significant increase in the number of students who were taking  up interest in computer networking but most only had theory and simulated  experience that basically wasn’t enough.” Mr Tapo added.

While thanking ExxonMobil for the much needed hardware, senior lecturer, Mr Benson Mirou, said that most of the equipment are networking switches that will  allow students the opportunity to actually have hands on experience in their field of  studies rather than using simulations.

“These are propriety hardware which are very expensive so we are very fortunate  and very humbled to be able to have them donated to us especially when funding  availability is a challenge for the institution.” He iterated.

He added that the department houses the Cisco Networking Academy program  which students are currently studying under and it was only suiting that the Cisco  hardware were made available to be used in the program to enhance the learning capabilities.

Mr Tapo and Mr Mirou said that the donation itself will see the department  establish a long waited networking lab now to accommodate the equipment and  facilitate hands on trainings for students taking up computer networking.

They added that such relationships with the industry partners was very important  because both parties will gradually have a more in- depth knowledge of each other’s expectations.

“Industry partners will continue to support us as long as we provide the best quality education and training for our students who will ultimately be the industry partners human resource assets.”

Source : PNGUoT / #techPacific

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