Recently, leading education information technology provider Huawei-3Com and China's Northwest University jointly organized a symposium on building campus-wide computer networks to dedicate a plaque commemorating Huawei-3Com's support in deploying the universities new campus network. About 40 people including Ren Zongzhe, Vice President of Northwest University, Professor Gao Ling, Director of the Modern Education Technology Center, and senior Huawei-3Com executives, western region education officials and college network center administrators took part in the event.

The symposium titled "Building highly reliable networks, building digitized campuses" presented attendees with the latest information and trends for mapping out and constructing campus-wide networks to deploy digital services. Panel speakers and Huawei-3Com executives discussed the blueprint and features for Northwest University's new network and how improved networking capacity can enhance educational effectiveness. Participants also learned more about the core IT issues facing contemporary campuses and future developments. Digitized campuses are campus-based networks consisting of teaching, learning, managerial and entertainment services all in one to improve work, studies and lifestyle of students and instructors.

As a century-old university operating under State Project 211, Northwest University emphasizes the importance and value of developing information technology infrastructures. State Project 211 deals with the construction of key campuses for supporting development zones in China's western region. With substantial work being done during the Ninth and Tenth Five-Year Plans and various infrastructure projects building university information networks, Northwest University has completed its preliminary information network providing knowledge and resource exchange systems extending to its northern and southern campuses, its Taoyuan campus, residential quarters and student dormitories. Such information networks feature gigabyte junctions as their transmission backbones and megabyte Internet connections.

With the assistance of Huawei-3Com, the new campus network will not only satisfy current communications needs, but also lays a solid foundation for constructing fully digitized campuses in near future. At the same time, Northwest University's infrastructure will provide excellent public service platforms and foundational hardware guarantees for other scientific add-on infrastructures and sustainable development plans. The entire project provides a template for other universities in China to follow to take advantage of improved network capabilities.

In light of the high level of cooperation between Huawei-3Com and Northwest University in the area of network studies, the two organizations will jointly establish a network institute to promote IPv6 as an essential next generation technology that will do much to advance education and research. By establishing the network institute with Huawei-3Com, Northwest University can take the lead in encouraging IPv6 adoption and the building of digitized campuses across China and throughout the region.

As information technology becomes an even more vital component of successful education institution, the effective use of campus network technology and the move towards full campus digitization will unleash the potential of education networks for a better and brighter future. The valuable experience gained by most recent collaborations between Huawei-3Com, Northwest University and other western region schools is a critical step forward in clarifying future development trends in digitized campuses.