FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

1 November 2006

Republic Polytechnic and IBM set up S$6.3 million Enterprise Computing Learning Centre

Centre aims to train students and IT practitioners in mainframe technology

Singapore – 1 November 2006…. Republic Polytechnic (RP) and IBM today announced the establishment of the RP Enterprise Computing Learning Centre.  RP and IBM will invest a total of S$6.3 million in the Centre including provision of training by IBM on the IBM System z (mainframe) curriculum, materials and resources and collaboration opportunities with Mainframe end users.  The centre will house an IBM System z890 mainframe that will be used to train selected diploma students from the School of Infocomm Technology and to offer continuing mainframe education to industry practitioners over the next three years. 

RP and IBM are embarking on this joint initiative to address the skills shortage in mainframe professionals locally and globally. The RP Enterprise Computing Learning Centre will run curriculum modules related to operating systems and data centre management of large-scale enterprise computing infrastructure like the IBM System z9. Such enterprise computing infrastructure is crucial to the back-end operations of large organisations such as banks and government organisations.  

Commenting on the establishment of this centre, Mr Mervin Beng, Director of Republic Polytechnic’s School of Infocomm Technology said, “RP is the first Institution of Higher Learning in ASEAN to have an IBM mainframe and this will offer exposure to mainframe computing technology, including training on System z Operating Systems (zOS) curriculum. We have received industry input that there is a healthy demand for graduates who have some hands-on experience on mainframes. This initiative will provide our students a strong edge when seeking employment in industry.”

Patricia Yim, Managing Director, IBM Singapore, said, “This initiative underlines the commitment by RP and IBM to develop students and equip Singapore’s workforce with world-class technical skills.  This initiative with Republic Polytechnic to grow more mainframe professionals will put Singapore’s IT resources in a more competitive position in the global IT industry.  IBM is happy to collaborate with RP in enabling its students and industry practitioners in much-needed mainframe skills locally and globally.”

RP will tap on the System z Worldwide Academic Initiative Program and will be among the 266 global community colleges and universities that offer training in mainframe technology. The Academic Initiative program aims to fill the marketplace with new mainframe talent.  According to IBM’s Mainframe Charter, IBM aims to produce 20,000 mainframe-skilled professionals globally by 2010.  Republic Polytechnic is the first institution in ASEAN to embrace the IBM System z Academic Initiative program.

The media is cordially invited to join us for the event.

Date:               1 November 2006

Time:              9.00 am to 10.20am

Venue:            Republic Polytechnic

                        9 Woodlands Avenue 9

                        LR W3

-          End – 

Programme

09:00 am	Registration
09:30 am	Welcome Speech Mr Eden Liew, Deputy Principal, Republic Polytechnic
09:35 am	RP Enterprise Computing Learning Centre Mr Mervin Beng, Director, School of ICT, Republic Polytechnic
09:40 am	Innovation That Matters for Education Ms Patricia Yim, Managing Director, IBM Singapore Pte Ltd
09:45 am	System z Academic Program Mr Greg Smith, Business Unit Executive, Tivoli Performance Automation, IBM Software Group, Asia Pacific
10:05 am	Evolution of Enterprise Systems Deployment in HDB Ms Koh Kok Theng, Head, Systems Management Unit, Housing and Development Board
10:20 am	Reception

For media enquiries, please contact:

Lorraine Chua                                                 Vivienne Oh

Rubicon Consulting Pte Ltd                            Republic Polytechnic

Tel: 9819 9151                                                Tel: 6510 3239

Email:  lorraine@rubicon.com.sg                   Email: vivienne_oh@rp.sg

Javan Ng

IBM Singapore

Tel: 6418 1525

Email: ngkhj@sg.ibm.com

About Republic Polytechnic

The first educational institution in Singapore to adopt the Problem-Based Learning approach for all its diploma programmes, Republic Polytechnic has five schools offering nineteen diploma courses in Information & Communications Technology, Engineering, Applied Science, Technology for the Arts, and Sports, Health & Leisure. Republic Polytechnic is committed to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurial learning in an environment that develops problem-solving process skills and a life-long learning attitude. Its holistic, broad-based curriculum, covering culture, enterprise development and cognitive processes, prepares students for an active and meaningful role in society. Republic Polytechnic strives for excellence by achieving various national and international accreditations, including People Developer Standards, ISO9001, ISO14001, OHSAS18001, Singapore Quality Class, Singapore Innovation Class, and the Singapore Health Awards (Gold).

For more information, visit http://www.rp.sg

About IBM

For more information about IBM, visit www.ibm.com

Jointly released by Republic Polytechnic and IBM on 1 November 2006.