Mariano Marcos
State University

DOST-ASTI hosts University of Oregon IT experts for LGU and HEI training at MMSU

By Jedd Bryant Boado

A team of IT professionals from the University of Oregon (UO), through its Network Startup Resource Center (NSRC), kicked off the week-long Campus Network Design and Operations (CNDO) workshop for higher education institutions (HEIs) and local government units (LGUs) at the MMSU Center for Flexible Learning on March 9.

Led by Assistant Director Hervey Allen, together with International Networking Coordinator Dale Smith, Trainer and Network Engineer Jose Santiago, Senior Network Engineer Philip Smith, and DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute representative (ASTI), Mr. Bayani Lara, the UO-NSCR delegation shared how to design an efficient network that is appropriate for large-scale institutions.

During the opening program of the workshop, Vice President for Academic Affairs Aris Reynold Cajigal was in attendance, standing in for MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr. In his message, he emphasized that initiatives such as the CNDO are necessary to equip IT officials with up-to-date cybersecurity knowledge, especially when government systems are the primary targets of cyberattacks.

“At a time when reliable and secure connectivity is more important than ever, initiatives such as this workshop help ensure that our institutions are equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to build resilient and future-ready campus and agency networks,” Dr. Cajigal said.

In their first lectures, Engr. Hervey Allen discussed the tasks that participants will accomplish during the workshop proper, namely the development of campus websites. Meanwhile, Mr. Dale Smith talked about the development of research and education networks for institutions and local governments, to aid students, faculty, and officials with their data collection and analysis. 

Dr. Smith also presented best practices in campus network design to minimize internet slowdowns and improve network performance in organizations and institutions. Meanwhile, Mr. Jose Santiago and Dr. Philip Smith explained the foundational infrastructure of the internet and recommended strategies for the proper installation of fiber optic cables within universities and government agencies to improve internet speeds and the distribution of data across networks.

Earlier, the UO-NSRC delegation paid a courtesy visit to Dr. Manzano at the FEM Hall. During the meeting, the MMSU president welcomed the visiting experts and acknowledged the distinguished professional background of the delegation, including Senior Network Engineer Philip Smith, an inductee of the Internet Hall of Fame, an international recognition given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the development and advancement of the global internet.

In his message, Dr. Manzano noted that he is open for future partnerships with UO-NSCR, especially with the improvement of MMSU’s internet infrastructure and systems.

“One of our agendas now is digitalization. And since we are anticipating the completion of our Information, Technology, and Development Center, we hope that you can help us in functionalizing it, as well as in the development of our MMSU All-In-One System,” Dr. Manzano said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Smith shared the purpose and importance of the workshop to MMSU and beyond.

“After the pandemic, we saw how technology became important in education. So it is important for MMSU to have one that works very well. This workshop will help train  local network engineers and other agencies to properly build networks that enhance services to their respective stakeholders,” Mr. Smith said.

Organized by the MMSU Information Technology Center, UO-NSCR’s CNDO workshop will train a total of ten HEIs and LGUs in Northern Luzon.