Donation will connect post-secondary schools, benefit local
industry
Nortel Networks has donated optical network equipment valued
in the millions to UBC’s Faculty of Applied Science it was
announced today. With core switches capable of switching packets
at 10 Gigabit-per-second speeds over optical links, it is
enough telecommunications equipment to fuel the communications
needs of a country the size of Switzerland.
The gift of hardware and software will give students access
to some of the world’s most advanced telecommunications
technology. It will also allow researchers to conduct leading
edge projects in areas ranging from fibreoptic communications
components to fuel cell power supply-research that will benefit
B.C.’s telecommunications, high-tech and communications industries,
as well as higher-education and research activities for the
next generation.
The Nortel Networks contribution will be used to create an
experimental research network. Based at UBC, it will link
researchers in telecommunications and network research with
colleagues at the University of Victoria, Simon Fraser University,
University of Northern British Columbia and the British Columbia
Institute of Technology to promote innovation and collaboration
in Internet technologies. When operational, it will be one
of the largest networks of its kind in Canada.
"Nortel’s generous gift helps position UBC as
a leader in telecommunications research," said UBC President
Martha Piper. "We’re extremely pleased to have
their support and to become the hub of this important research
network that will benefit the economies of British Columbia
and Canada."
In addition to the initial donation of broadband networking
technology, Nortel will also act as technology advisor, providing
an industry partner for UBC researchers. A partnership with
BCNet, a non-profit society for the development of advanced
networks within the province, will provide optical fibre infrastructure
and technical consultation.
"This is a truly an impressive development that will
enhance innovation opportunities for researchers and students,"
said Don Avison, President of The University Presidents’ Council
of British Columbia. "Nortel’s donation is particularly
encouraging as it comes at a time when our universities are
working in partnership with the B.C. government and industry
to double the number of graduates in electrical and computer
engineering, and computer science."
Research projects currently underway in UBC’s Faculty of
Applied Science which will benefit from the broadband network
include re-vamping network protocols, fibreoptic telecommunications
diagnostics and developing power sources for new TV networks.
These projects will ultimately be visible in consumer products
such as voice-over Internet, interactive 3-D gaming, HDTV,
remote instrumentation, video-streaming and large-scale distributed
digital storage.
"The Nortel contribution will significantly advance
both research and student learning," said Faculty of
Applied Science Dean Michael Isaacson “The experimental
research network will be a great benefit, both directly and
through engineering graduates trained with this technology.
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