John Morgridge, addresses a crowd
of 200 at Birzeit University

John and his wife pose with Palestinian students before
getting into their waiting car.

A crowd of student, dignitaries and Cisco officials listen were
on hand for the opening ceremony.

(L to R) Marwan Tarzi, Director of the Birzeit Informaiton Technology Unit, President of the Welfare Association, a Cisco official, Dr. Hanna Nasser, the Palestinian Authority Minister of Economy and Trade , Maher Al-Masri , and John. Morgridge

September 27th, Birzeit University
Photos and text by Russell Maier

John Morgridge, chairman of the multi-billion dollar Cisco Systems corporation, visited Birzeit University surrounded by an immaculately dressed entourage and a flurry of Palestinian dignitaries. In this unprecedented visit of a senior executive of a major computer corporation to Palestine, John Morgridge presided over the inauguration of a Regional Cisco Network Academy at Birzeit University. The President of Birzeit University, Dr. Hanna Nasser, the Palestinian Authority Minister of Economy and Trade , Maher Al-Masri , and Mr. Morgridge each addressed a crowd of 200 in Al Nasir Hall.
The partnership with Cisco marks not only the launch of the Cisco Network Academy at Birzeit, but also a renewed commitment to keeping at the vanguard of the information technology revolution. Dr. Hanna Nasser, announced the new BIT program (Birzeit Information Technology Unit) headed by Marwan Tarzi, and plans for a campus Technology Park.
By joining the 1200 Cisco Academies already active around the world as a Regional Academy, Birzeit plans to open and cooperate with ten local academies that include five industrial schools and five other universities. Through the Birzeit Regional Academy, and the Local Academies, Palestinian students will be able to gain valuable technical skills that can assist in putting Palestine onto the Internet map. Birzeit also stands to gain a mainstream training program and access to cutting edge hardware and teaching resources. According to Dr. Hanna Nasser the Academy has importance on a broader scale, "Information technology has the potential to be one of the leading economic sectors in the new Palestine. [It] offers us a challenge to engage and develop as a region, as a society, and hopefully in the very near future, as the first new state of the 21st century."

That Cisco, an American corporation specializing in network technology and with 12 billion in annual sales, should show such interest in the development of the Palestinian IT sector is not as surprising as it would seem. Although the Middle East currently consists of only 5% of world wide Internet use, it is poised to grow greatly. Palestine, in particular, has the infrastructure, education levels and financial resources to become one of the next booming markets for information technology services, products and global e-commerce. Significantly, Palestine, is also the trade neighbor of Israel, where Cisco has established a strong presence with its recent acquisitions of five Israeli high tech companies for a combined total of 633.2 million dollars. John Morgridge, speaking at Comdex in Tel Aviv on September 27, has a similar Cisco Academy inauguration planned. Cisco, recognized in reports by Forbes, ABC's 20/20 and Wall Street as one of the most dynamic and visionary of American corporations, clearly recognizes the vast potential market of the Middle East that is on the verge of joining the Western digital world. Its initiative in Palestine, similar to many similar initiatives in developing countries, although described as philanthropic, is a significant strategic move. As with Bill Gates recent visit to India, the movement and expansion of large corporations to the developing world is a sign of things to come as efforts are increased to 'bridge the digital divide'.

Photos and text by Russell Maier