IBM donates three Linux computer labs to Higher Colleges of Technology

Through this initiative the equipment was installed at three computer laboratories at the Center of Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT) in Abu Dhabi, Dubai Men's College and Dubai Women's College. The delivery and installation of the technology was performed in collaboration with Gulf Business Machines (GBM), the general marketing and services representative for IBM WTC in the Gulf region.

The three IBM eServer xSeries servers and 30 NetVista workstations have been installed in HCT colleges. To ensure that the students fully benefit from the latest technology advances in the Linux and open source world, IBM is also donating a ten day "teach the teacher" course for the instructors. The instructors have already completed five days training on the Linux fundamentals, and another five days on advanced administration is planned for November.

Dr. Tayeb Kamali, Vice Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology, said that HCT is enhancing its very aggressive online learning program through the Linux Labs, as well as through the IBM Scholars Program. The two initiatives, developed to support higher education institutions with instructional and non-commercial research opportunities, will contribute to the efforts towards more developed online learning.

"With this program, our staff and students will get free access to over 1,500 original IBM software products via the Internet. The software set includes selected middleware and developer products such as DB2 Universal Database, WebSphere Application Server, MQSeries, VisualAge for Java, and Lotus Domino, all available for AIX, Windows and Linux platforms," Dr. Kamali said.

Farid Metwaly, General Manager of IBM for the Middle East, Egypt and Pakistan, commented: "to succeed in the new business world, students must be innovative and flexible, take risks and try something different - but also value the expertise of others with hard-won experience. We believe that IBM's spirit embodies both of these characteristics. With our focus on open source projects such as Linux, IBM can broaden the students' choices, and share an enormous amount of intellectual depth as well as business acumen."

"The donation of the three Linux laboratories is a wonderful opportunity for us to give students in the Emirates an even richer and more hands-on education," commented Cesare Cardone, CEO of GBM. "We will support this initiative to the full extent as we believe in the strategic role of Education and Training as a fundamental mean for sustained economic growth and development for our Region."

The donation of the three Linux labs is part of an international IBM Linux skills development program called Equinox, which is intended to promote Linux awareness and expertise within senior education institutions such as colleges and universities.

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