Launch of Advanced Networking and Unix Laboratory at Birzeit University

Birzeit University launched today an Advanced Networking and Unix Laboratory designed to produce highly specialized networking engineers, administrators, and technicians. The Lab was donated by Hewlett Packard and the first set of training has been completed on the machines in conjunction with Safad Engineering and Electronics Co. This training targeted existing networking engineers and aimed at qualifying and certifying them on the advanced operations of the equipment.

The Lab consists of RISC workstations and servers donated by HP in addition to PCs, servers, and Mobile Networking Stations equipped with routers, hubs, switches, and wireless modems - provided by the University.  This unique and highly advanced infrastructure makes the laboratory a comprehensive environment for simulating Local and Wide Area Networks, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), enterprise networking, and other distributed networking applications.

Speaking at today's launch, Rudi Richter, General Manager of HP in Palestine, said, "We hope this is the start of a long relationship with Birzeit University. We aim to develop Palestine as an information technology hub for other countries in the region. We see this lab as becoming a knowledge center for the governmental area which will provide solutions for this sector. There are many talented students in Palestine, we hope to see these students exporting know-how which will be exported all around the region."

Marwan Tarazi, director of the Computer Centre at Birzeit University told the audience, "This lab gives us the possibility to provide training at an enterprise level. Something not possible before in Palestine." Other speakers at today's launch included the President of Birzeit University, Dr. Hanna Nasir, Sami Ramlawi Director General of the Palestinian Ministry of Finance and Ibrahim Barham, General Manager of Safad Electronics and Engineering.