Hong Kong, 26 November 2008 – The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) today announced the opening of the Advanced Enterprise Infrastructure Lab at the department of computing, sponsored by Cisco and Internet working solutions provider Macroview Telecom.
Formerly known as the Hong Kong Polytechnic, the institution assumed full university status in 1994. Today, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is a publicly-funded tertiary institution in Hong Kong that focuses on applied research and technology transfer.
Made possible through sponsorships of equipment, software and services worth more than HK$7 million (about US$900,000) from Cisco and Macroview, the Lab will provide students with the opportunity to learn and apply networking technologies, including unified communications and IP-based contact centres, and to develop innovative applications. It also contains local area network (LAN) infrastructure equipment, wireless LAN infrastructure equipment, network security equipment and a digital signage system.
Advanced networking technologies
Headed by Henry C.B. Chan, associate professor at the department of computing, PolyU, who specialises in networking and communications, Internet technologies, and electronic commerce, the lab will allow students, staff and researchers to leverage advanced networking technologies to develop innovative enterprise, e-commerce, unified communications and wireless applications that will help enhance the competitiveness of various businesses in Hong Kong.
Poon Chung-kwong, president of the university, said the launch is a prime example of successful collaboration between the university and the private sector, one that will bring significant long-term benefits to students, teaching staff and researchers.
“The Advanced Enterprise Infrastructure Lab highlights the university’s commitment to providing world-class facilities for education and research purposes,” the professor said. “The university firmly believes that strategic emphasis on applied research will enhance academic and practical learning, in turn equipping students not only with professional competency but also practical experience in developing applications for use in the real business world.”
Initial projects
The lab is already embarking on several initial projects that focus on developing practical applications for various businesses through the use of advanced networking and information technologies. One of them is ‘The Intelligent Airport (TINA)’, a project led by Ian White, head of the school of technology of the University of Cambridge. Working closely with the professor, the lab is developing applications for next-generation intelligent airports.
Another project is being undertaken jointly with DHL Global Forwarding and is designed to develop innovative applications for the logistics industry. As the consultant for the lab, Kelvin Leung, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding, North Asia Pacific, provides support to the university's staff and students by sharing his knowledge and experience in the logistics industry and working closely with them to boost the research capability of the local air cargo industry as part of the company’s commitment to Hong Kong.
“The Hong Kong youth are actually very creative,” said Chan. “If only we can provide them with a good learning environment, advanced facilities, and good guidance, they can create a lot of applications beyond our imagination. I hope that the local businesses can support our Advanced Enterprise Infrastructure Lab and to nurture our youth together.”
IT graduates: good prospects ahead
One of the most important sectors that will sustain itself through current the economic crisis is infrastructure IT and communication networks, said George Baciu, professor and associate head of the department of computing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He specialises in interactive computer graphics, virtual reality, motion synthesis, image and video analysis.
"This is because people still need to communicate [even during tough economic times]. They still need to see, call and e-mail each other. What's better than to log onto your Internet account and see what's happening around the world? That's [online communication] what IT can support." The cash-rich IT firms today such as Intel, Cisco, and IBM, said Baciu, are those that are dedicated to serve the needs of infrastructure IT and computer networks.
Baciu said the prospects of IT graduates in Hong Kong are "absolutely" good. In cases where IT staff at banks experienced layoffs, it is because the shrinking banks were left without a choice, not because they wanted to downsize their IT operations.
Still popular
Computer studies is still popular among Hong Kong youth, and PolyU is expecting to attract more quality students. The department of computing’s number of applicants in computer studies is among the largest in Hong Kong, said Baciu. "This year [2008], our undergraduate scheme in computing has been over-applied by a factor of 1:33, that is, 33 students were competing for one seat. The department of computing at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University is currently ranked number one in the number of Band A applicants and ranked number two in terms of the A-Level scores of applicants."
Baciu advises IT graduates: "Prepare yourself and study the fundamentals because jobs are bound to be competitive. Focus on the technologies that are at the leading edge of growth such as 3G, networking, wireless infrastructure, security, and virtualisation." To young IT graduates, Baciu said: "Do not panic, stay on course, and focus."
