Team Malaysia Crowned Regional Champion at Cisco Asia Pacific NetRiders 2011

Students from Multimedia University and Tunku Abdul Rahman College win the highly coveted title and all expense-paid trip to the United States

MALAYSIA, Kuala Lumpur – 22 Dec, 2011 – The Malaysian team was declared the winner at the annual Cisco Asia Pacific NetRiders 2011 competition held by the Cisco® Networking Academy® – an information and communications technology (ICT) education programme that prepares students for careers in the 21st-century global economy.

Team Malaysia, comprising Chan Eng Sian from the Multimedia University and Lim Yu Jie from the Tunku Abdul Rahman College, aced the two levels of testing in this competition: first, a theoretical exam and then, an online network configuration through a computer simulation test. This is the second time that a team from Malaysia has won the highly coveted title, and their prize is an all expense-paid trip to the United States, as well as bragging rights for the next 12 months.

The captain of winning team Chan Eng Siang said, “The questions were difficult but we already anticipated that and were prepared for them. Still, we didn’t think our scores were good enough to make us champions, so we’re really pleased that our hard work has paid off. It was a good team effort, and all of us can’t wait to start our study trip in San Jose. We are also proud that this is the second time that the winning team is from Malaysia.”

In second and third place, respectively, were the teams from the AMA Computer University in the Philippines and the Lalith Athulathmudali Vocational Training Center in Sri Lanka.

Yuri Wahab, managing director for Cisco in Malaysia said, “Team Malaysia thoroughly deserves the title of Asia Pacific champions as they worked hard to ensure that they are well-equipped with the knowledge to tackle the challenging questions. Their work ethics and perseverance makes me proud and I look forward to seeing them in the ICT industry in the near future.”

The Cisco Asia Pacific NetRiders 2011 competition was one of the largest ICT networking competitions held via real-time video in Asia, with students from 17 countries using Cisco TelePresence® and Cisco WebEx® to demonstrate how organisations can collaborate across geographic and cultural barriers while earning carbon credits.

The students, currently enrolled in the Networking Academy programme that develops their ICT, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, were tested in the areas of computer network hardware design, configuration, development and maintenance. The competition creates an interactive experience and enhances classroom learning while providing the students with a chance to showcase their networking skills to talent recruiters in the ICT and networking industry. To date, more than 16,000 Networking Academy students have competed in the Cisco NetRiders events across 80 countries.

Education has a profound impact on the way people live and the choices available to them during their lifetimes and a firm foundation for lifelong learning, unlocking the doors to opportunity and prosperity. Countries are also using technology and the internet as the basis for national transformation agenda by improving efficiencies, increasing competitive advantage, empowering individuals towards a knowledge-based, future-ready society and as a result, improve national GDP.

Cisco Networking Academy
In partnership with educational institutions, government administrations and community based organizations around the world, the Networking Academy delivers ICT education through effective in-classroom learning combined with innovative cloud-based curricula and tools to prepare students for careers in the 21st-century global economy.

The Networking Academy began in 1997 with 64 schools and has grown to become one of the “world’s largest classrooms” with 10,000 academies in 165 countries, and nearly 4 million students having participated in the program to date. . The Networking Academy is Cisco’s flagship social investment program across the globe.

In Asia Pacific, there are more than 1,370 Networking Academies operating in 27 countries that have instructed more than 922,000 students.

Networking Academy courses are delivered in multiple languages through a pioneering cloud-based learning system that teaches students how to design, build, troubleshoot, and secure computer networks for increased access to career and economic opportunities in communities around the world.

Students who complete the program often go on to secure entry-level career opportunities, participate in continuing education and achieve globally recognized career certifications. Courses are supported by classroom instruction, hands-on learning activities, and interactive online assessments that provide personalized feedback. Networking Academy instructors receive extensive training and support to help ensure a consistently-enriching learning experience for students around the world.