ITE, IBM launch S$200,000 Technology Training Centre
ConvergenceAsia staff
17/07/2008

The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and IBM have launched 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 open computing platform.

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.

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 POWER6 processor technology with enhanced virtualisation, energy efficiency and near-continuous availability features.

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.

Of the collaboration, Dr Yek Tiew Ming, Principal of ITE College West, said, “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.”

The UNIX segment today makes up about one third of the overall server market. UNIX continues to remain the platform of choice for mission critical enterprise scale applications for most large enterprises around the world.

The explosive adoption rates of open computing platforms and virtualisation imply the growing demand for skilled professionals in this field, said 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.”

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