Johannesburg, 10 Feb 1999
The Faculty of Computer Studies at the PE Technikon received a major boost today with the donation by IBM SA of an AS/400, the world`s most popular mid-range computing system.
The R1,5 million server will be used to train a total of about 300 students in Port Elizabeth as well as a class linked via modem in East London. This initiative is part of an international IBM programme called Partners in Education (PIE). The aim is to create a pool of highly skilled graduates for the local IT industry.
"The IBM equipment will help our students to develop skills to meet both current and future market needs," says Dr Eugene du Preez, Dean of the Faculty of Computer Studies. "It will help to give our students the edge in securing placement when they graduate."
The Technikon has 10 laboratories of 20 PCs each which all link up to the AS/400.
The equipment will be used primarily for the training of students in programme development, networking and Web-page design.
"The market benefits from the development and enhancement of the AS/400 skilled resource base and the institution benefits from increased student placement rates," says Vaughn van der Berg of IBM in Port Elizabeth.
The donation of the AS/400 continues IBM`s long standing relationship with the PE Technikon which dates back to 1980. During the past few years, PE Technikon has trained hundreds of qualified students who received training on similar systems, and most have turned out to be highly sought after graduates.
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