Computing student set to compete against Europe

A STAFFORDSHIRE University student has beaten tens of thousands of others to a place in the European finals of a computing competition.

The prestigious victory has put Chris Johnson, 29, from Trentham, in contention for a worldwide competition which will take place in San Francisco later this year.

Chris, who is in his second year of study for a BEng(Hons) in Network Computing, said he was pleased to have made it past the national heats but is now hoping to progress further.

He said: “To be honest, because I was so busy before the competition, I just thought I’d go along and see what it was all about. I didn’t have any time to do any preparation so I went in cold.

“When I came second in the country I was amazed. To say I was quite pleased would be a huge understatement.”

The competition involved 100 multiple choice questions to be completed in one hour, followed by a practical exercise in configuring network simulation software.

From the national heats, which took place across Europe, Asia and Africa simultaneously, 140 students have made it through to the next round, set to take place on July 7. From there, the five winners will progress to the worldwide competition in San Francisco later this year.

Chris added: “Making it through to the final is worth its weight in gold when it comes to job opportunities. I’m hoping that I will be one of the five that will make it into the next stage.”

The International Networking Competition was open to 80,840 students in the UK, in 692 Cisco Networking Academies, and Chris came 2nd in the national heats.

He added: “I wouldn’t have had a chance if it wasn’t for my course at Staffordshire University. The skills covered by the course are superb and 100 percent relevant to the work place.

“I chose Staffs because I was local and because I know it has a really good reputation as a great place to study computing.”

Chris’s success has also given him a head start among fellow students for a highly sort after job at the world’s leading internet networking company, Cisco Systems, who sponsored the competition.

He said: “The competition is full of opportunities. After I got through to the next round I was contacted by someone at Cisco and they asked me for a copy of my CV.

“The competition could be being used as a recruitment drive to find the best students and there are great opportunities there.”

Cisco Systems operates thousands of Networking Academies across the world and Staffordshire University’s Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Technology (FCET) was one of those awarded the status of Cisco Regional Networking Academy.

The partnership has provided work placements and employment opportunities for Staffordshire University students, and sponsorship for key events, among other benefits.

Chris Howard, Senior Lecturer in Computer Sciences, said: “This is the first year we have entered the International Networking Competition and it is an outstanding performance for a first attempt.

“These are all great examples of how fostering good relationships with a major international company can benefit us and our students in very many ways.

“It needs to be said that the above successes only come as a result of hard work, dedication and forward thinking by the Cisco teaching team and the students’ commitment, diligence and hard work. It should also be said that these results are a real return to the University for the wisdom of their investment in the Cisco networking laboratories.”