Centennial College offers first applied degree in computer networking

Centennial College Press Release

TORONTO, March 27 /CNW/ - Addressing a skills shortage in computer networking, Centennial College has become the first college or university in Ontario to offer an applied degree in networking. The new Computer and Communications Networking program is designed to produce graduates who are "bilingual" - competent in both the technology and the business applications that rely on networks.

The four-year program is among the first applied-degree offerings approved by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, a landmark move permitting community colleges to provide applied degrees in academic areas not presently addressed by universities. Despite a perception that the "dot-bomb" has wiped out jobs, Statistics Canada identifies computer- infrastructure employment as a high-growth field. And employers are keen to gain access to applied-degree graduates.

"We believe that this program serves to graduate exactly what Canada is looking for," says John Cameron, President, Avaya Canada Corp. "We are impressed with the value of the program, the core professional networking courses and those that are related, the attention paid to enabling technologies such as wireless and broadband, and the importance placed upon network security policy development and implementation."

What makes this multidisciplinary program unique is its emphasis on business applications, as well as technology. Project and vendor management, services marketing and business consulting are just some of the relevant business courses. "Employers have been telling us for years that they don't have technicians who are 'bilingual,' that is, those who can speak both 'tech' and business. This is an employer's dream program," says Centennial College President Richard Johnston.

Students will gain experience in configuring and maintaining local and wide area networks, desktop and network operating systems leading to many industry recognized certifications such as CCNA, CCNP, MCSE, A+ and Network+. E-commerce integration and network security are also covered. Graduates can expect to work as network analysts and administrators, network project managers and Cisco specialists.

"Centennial has rapidly emerged as the leader in network education, thanks to our extensive industry partnerships," says Johnston. "The program builds on our established strengths." Graduates prepare for certification from industry leaders and professional associations such as Cisco Systems, CompTIA and Microsoft in Centennial's existing programs. The applied degree will complement an already rich continuum of computer network studies, ranging from four months up to three years.

Computer and Communications Networking marks an important milestone in Centennial's transformation as a post-secondary learning institution. The program puts Ontario's first community college in the company of some of Canada's most prestigious universities with a comparable quality education. Likewise, the college program will resemble a four-year undergraduate university program in terms of its entrance requirements and tuition. Centennial will be accepting applications for this fall.

The new program combines the breadth and depth expected of a university degree with the practical knowledge taught so well at college. Students will be guided by professors certified by industry, and will benefit from Centennial's strategic alliance with Compaq Canada and Avaya. Compaq will provide the laptops and Avaya will supply the wireless infrastructure for the program. While it will launch at the college's Progress Campus, the program will move in 2003-04 to Centennial's new Science and Technology Centre adjacent to the University of Toronto at Scarborough.

Employment prospects for graduates are strong. "There will always be jobs working to build the infrastructure, whether it be broadband, wireless, network security or e-business. Trends shift, but the backbone will always be there," says Johnston. Centennial's related programs boast high placement rates and above average starting salaries.

With a well-balanced mix of theoretical and practical knowledge, graduates can "hit the ground running" when they join an employer. Like many college programs, networking provides paid co-op placement opportunities to gather meaningful and relevant practical experience in a workplace. Students will learn to apply their knowledge during three 15-week work terms with local employers.

Centennial has been selected by Cisco Systems Canada as one of its lead educational partners in helping teach high school and college professors participating in its network associate training program. Says Cisco Systems' Canadian Education Marketing Manager Anne Miller: "Individuals graduating from such an intensive course of study, along with globally recognized industry certifications such as the CCNA and CCNP, will certainly be very successful in their careers."

As Ontario's first community college, Centennial has a record of exemplary teaching, innovative programming and extensive partnership building. Recognized as one of the most culturally diverse post-secondary institutions in Ontario, almost 100 ethno-cultural groups are represented and 80 languages spoken on campus. From 514 full-time students in 1966, Centennial's enrolment has grown to 12,000 full-time and 30,000 part-time learners today.

For more details about Centennial's new Computer and Communications Networking program, call 416-289-5325, or visit http://www.centennialcollege.ca.