Netriders Challenge Singapore '09

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First the good news, NP student team 2 led by Qi Feng came in third in the student category of the Netriders Challenge Singapore ’09. Although we did not win in the instructor category, it was a very good experience for us: it brought the four instructors and the 15 participating students from NP closer together. Ultimately it is all about the human network.
My students posted me this question: “Will NP host the event next year?”
I would like to but we can’t. The event attracted more than a hundred contestants and yet NYP has enough desktops for all of us and still have one room (easily twice the size of our lab and filled with computers) to spare. We just don’t have the capacity. Purchasing PC is a very sensitive matter and it triggered many alarms since every NP student is supposed to have a laptop. NYP was able to justify their purchase because they need to use very expensive software like Oracle. Their director is also very supportive too. He is well known for dropping in on the NYP rep during training to chat with them and solve their problems and needs personally.
I like the story that the MC (NYP staff, Scott) shared about the analogy between the Gold Rush and the Internet Bubble. During the Gold Rush, only a handful of people become rich looking for gold. Many more become rich selling axes, clothes and providing lodgings for the gold diggers. Likewise in the Internet Bubble, many companies went bust but Cisco Systems, the company known as the plumber of the Internet not only survived but thrived.
The story was a smooth introduction to the company that organized this event. Plumbers in countries like England and Australia are making good money; Cisco Systems has every right to be proud to be the plumper of the Internet. I am also very impressed with the ITE staff. I could see many of them either competing or supporting the event like taking pictures, rallying around their students and even giving lecture on Packet Tracer 5.2.

Quote from the 2nd runner team, NP Team 2 Captain, Chan Qi Feng:
“ I thank Mr Lau Wah Kee, Mr Low Chee Kin, Mdm Kannathal and Mr Sunil for their utmost support for our team. I am proud to lead my team members: Tan Deneng and Ng Zekai; they are very knowledgeable and co-operative. In fact, I thought my team could have achieved more but the other competitors were stronger on that day and I congratulate them. I would also wish to thank Cisco Systems Singapore for giving us this opportunity to showcase our talent, bringing back the trophy and joy for Ngee Ann Polytechnic.”

Quote from NP team leader, Mr Low Chee Kin, Electronic & Computer Engineering | School of Engineering
"The Netriders Challenge Singapore ’09 was a great learning opportunity for all who participate in one way or another. As one of the organizers and competitors, I was very impressed with Cisco System’s sense of social responsibility especially in the area of education. It is a joy to see so many industry partners, instructors and students working together to update and sharpen each other. Ultimately, it is all about the human network."
Total Number of Attendees : 200
No of Student Competitors: 123
No of Instructor Competitors : 22