Vietnamese students to benefit from 'world-class communications lab'

Cisco Systems is setting up a research and development lab in Hanoi's University of Technology to focus on network security.

The deal is part of Cisco's University Research Programme and marks the first time the company has sponsored any R &D activity in Vietnam.

"The Networking R&D Lab is the first true world-class communications lab in Vietnam," said professor Hoang Ba Chu, rector at the Hanoi University of Technology.

Hoang explained that the project would allow the country's teachers and researchers to access international projects and lab equipment.

"We are confident that this joint research project will be successful and benefit not just Hanoi University of Technology and Cisco, but the whole of Vietnam as well," he said.

Cisco's research programme works by accepting research proposals and subjecting them to stringent peer review before granting funds to support those it deems most worthy.

"Cisco is excited about the potential of the young engineering talent in Vietnam, and this initiative is one of our efforts to nurture that talent," said James Chia, general director of Cisco Systems Vietnam.

Chia claimed that the R&D initiative would build on the success of Cisco's Networking Academy programme, which has already trained thousands of young Vietnamese in networking skills.

"The University Research Programme will bring in an added dimension of international exposure for the researchers in the Hanoi University of Technology, helping to increase the quality of its research work," he added.