GOV.PH
by Vencel Angelo R. Sanglay and Challiz D. Omorog
Geared towards advancing the information technology landscape in the Bicol Region, the College of Computer Studies at Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC-CCS) is set to host the “Campus Network Design Workshop” from January 15 to 18, 2024.
This endeavor is a joint initiative involving the Network-Startup Resource Center (NSRC), the Department of Science and Technology – Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI), and the Council of Deans for Information Technology Education (CODITE) – Region V.
The workshop combines lectures and hands-on lab activities to update and deepen the technical skills of system administrators and network engineers in HEIs in designing and managing a robust and defensive campus network infrastructure.
Fueling Philippine Internet Advancement
NSRC, a non-profit organization based at the University of Oregon, has partnered with DOST-ASTI to promote and support the Philippine Internet community actively.
Recognizing the pivotal role that higher education institutions (HEIs) play in the digital age, the collaboration strives to equip IT enthusiasts and agencies with the necessary tools to steer current operational challenges and emerging technologies.
This partnership, specifically targeting HEIs, aims to address operational challenges, trends, and networking technologies. Likewise, the workshop acknowledges that success in today’s era relies not solely on committed faculty and staff but requires a robust and secure network infrastructure.
The NSRC maestros
The four-day workshop boasts an illustrious lineup of experts from NSRC, each bringing a wealth of knowledge to the participants.
International Networking Coordinator Dale Smith, Senior Network Engineer Philip Smith, Systems Designer and Trainer Brian Candler, and Network Design Trainer Brook Schofield are set to impart their expertise in the intricacies of network design and infrastructure.
The meticulous curriculum
Designed to offer a holistic learning experience, the workshop’s program revolves around two main objectives.
Firstly, participants will dive into trends and best practices in core organizational infrastructure design, encompassing network design principles, physical infrastructure, fiber optics, switching, IPv4, IPv6, and deploying dual-stack infrastructure.
Secondly, the curriculum will focus on the imperative aspects of campus security implementation, covering optimal approaches such as acceptable use policies, monitoring, and firewall placement.
A regional paradigm shift in IT
The hot pursuit of academic institutions toward blended learning, digitization and digitalization, data analytics, information collaboration, and resource sharing is largely dependent on the health of its campus network infrastructure.
Without the right network architecture, academic institutions may not realize their modernization prospects. The inverse may suffer from poor user experience, connectivity problems, and, worse, security issues.
The collaboration between the initiating organizations stands poised to revolutionize the IT landscape in the Bicol Region, with the primary objective of transcending the modernization prospects of HEIs across the region with the necessary knowledge and tools needed to navigate the complexities of network design, security, and infrastructure.
As the Bicol Region gears up for this landmark event, the Campus Network Design Workshop emerges as a catalyst for technological empowerment, promising a future where educational institutions thrive in an interconnected and secure digital ecosystem.
