ITE harnesses IBM’s Power Systems technology to equip students with computing skills needed for future job markets.
SINGAPORE – 16 July 2008: The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced today the launch of the new ITE-IBM Technology Training Centre (IITTC) at ITE. The Centre will focus on applications of the IBM Power Systems technology which is an industry-leading, open computing platform.
2 With a total investment of S$200,000, IITTC will house three units of IBM System p520 servers aimed at providing ITE students, staff, as well as IBM’s partners and customers with hands-on access to the IBM System p business computing platform, which includes curriculum, industry expertise and training.
3 Both ITE and IBM will ink a three-year Memorandum of Understanding covering the scope of collaboration, on 17 July 2008.
How Students Stand to Gain
4 The collaboration is expected to benefit some 180 ITE students from the Information Technology/Info-Comms Technology courses over the next three years. Through exposure to the unique features of IBM’s high performing UNIX servers, ITE students will acquire the skills needed to administer the UNIX (AIX 5L Version 5.3) operating system and to be effective administrators on IBM System p5 systems which possess industry-leading POWER6 processor technology with enhanced virtualisation, energy efficiency and near-continuous availability features.
5 In addition to traditional classroom exposure, 10 students will be selected each year to participate in an internship programme with IBM or IBM’s business partners for a minimum of eight weeks.
6 Of the collaboration, Dr Yek Tiew Ming, Principal of ITE College West, said: “We are pleased to partner IBM in setting up the Technology Training Centre. The Centre will play a key role in training our students and staff in UNIX and open computing platforms. Given our dynamic and fast-paced IT industry, it is essential for us to collaborate with international players like IBM to ensure that our students remain competitive and relevant for this industry.”
A Platform of Choice for Global Enterprises
7 UNIX continues to remain the platform of choice for mission critical enterprise scale applications for most large enterprises around the world. The UNIX segment today makes up about one third of the overall server market.
8 According to IDC, IBM is the leading provider of UNIX solutions in the world today and has been number one for 10 quarters in a row. IDC also forecasts this market will continue to grow, with combined UNIX and Linux server spending to increase US$1.2 billion between 2007 and 2011, to a total opportunity of $27.4 billion in 2011, 45 percent of all projected customer spend. [1]
9 “The explosive adoption rates of open computing platforms and virtualisation imply the growing demand for skilled professionals in this field,” said Ms Teresa Lim, Managing Director, IBM Singapore. “The ITE-IBM Technology Training Centre and its programme attempt to bridge the gap and bring new relevant coursework to ITE students. Committed to developing the skills, resources and talents in countries we operate in, we will continue to collaborate with forward-looking educational institutions like ITE to develop students and equip Singapore’s workforce with world-class technical skills.”
[1] IDC Worldwide Quarterly Server Tracker, Feb 2008.
Media Publicity on Launch
Members of the media are invited to publicise the launch of the ITE-IBM Technology Training Centre. For arrangements on photographs, visual footage and interview arrangements, please contact:
Media Contacts:
Joycelyn Seet (Ms)
Head/Online Communications
Tel no: 6772 0744
Mobile no: 98750895
Email: joycelyn_seet@ite.edu.sg.
Javan Ng (Mr)
Communications (IT Infrastructure)
IBM Singapore
Tel: 6418 1525
Email: ngkhj@sg.ibm.com
Released on: 16 July 08
About Institute of Technical Education
The Institute of Technical Education (ITE), Singapore, was established as a post-secondary education institution in 1992 under the Ministry of Education. ITE is a principal provider of career and technical education and principal authority in developing national occupational skills certification and standards to enhance Singapore's workforce competitiveness. Under its "One ITE System, Three Colleges" Model of Education, ITE governs three Colleges, comprising ITE College Central, ITE College East and ITE College West.
About IBM
For information about IBM, visit http://www.ibm.com