Partnership delivers technology lab for training

RMIT University and Huawei Technologies have announced the establishment of a new $250,000 lab as part of the Next Generation Technology Training Centre. The training centre, first announced in July, aims to train 2000 students on a range of technologies over the next five years, with the new lab and initial courses expected to go live in early 2011.

Huawei will contribute $250,000 towards the establishment of the lab, which will be fitted out with Huawei’s latest technology to be used in training students. Courses are expected to run over 10 days with class sizes of 15 people, and will initially cover GPON (gigabit passive optical network) technology. Throughout the year, additional courses are expected to cover other next-generation technologies including LTE (Long Term Evolution) mobile broadband, and completion of each course will result in students holding a qualification to work with Huawei equipment.

RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Margaret Gardner AO said that the collaboration with Huawei addresses key labour skills shortages associated with building and operating the national broadband network.

“As a global university of technology and design, there is powerful intersection between the RMIT’s research and teaching strengths and the needs of key industry partners and the labour market. RMIT’s collaboration with industry is integral to its leadership in applied research and education, and to the development of work-ready, highly skilled and globally focused graduates.

“This partnership further strengthens RMIT’s range of connections with government, industry and academia in China,” Professor Gardner said.

Huawei Australia Chief Technology Officer Peter Rossi said the lab would help Australian students become the next generation of telecoms engineers. “The National Broadband Network rollout will require thousands of Australian workers who are trained on the latest network technologies,” Rossi said.

In July 2010, RMIT entered into a memorandum of understanding with Huawei to provide training for the latest in next-generation technology and products. The memorandum of understanding was launched by Senator Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.