Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1219491
62 I ICT TODAY ICT forums (formerly known as regional meetings) at major colleges and universities, such as University of New Mexico, Western Connecticut State University, Georgia Southern University, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and many others. These forums are one-day events that are the perfect setting for students to network and make valuable contacts with industry professionals in their local areas, while expanding their knowledge about the latest technologies and product offerings from local and national ICT manufacturers, distributors and suppliers. Internationally, BICSI has hosted events with Curtain University of Australia at its UAE campus in Dubai and at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia and has collaborated with Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería (INICTEL-UNI) of Peru to launch the fourth edition of the BICSI Lima Conference. Discussions are also under- way with the Universidad Ricardo Palma in Peru to sup- port "BICSI Day" by encouraging its engineering students to attend. BICSI has also hosted conferences at the Repub- lic Polytechnic in Singapore as well as many other inter- national venues. BICSI's Global Region Director also con- ducts a yearly BICSI/ICT overview for the engineering students at the University of Puerto Rico. These are sev- eral of the many outreach endeavors that BICSI initiates to advance the ICT industry and the future professionals who can serve it. GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS Federal and state governments have a lot at stake when it comes to the development of a robust infrastructure. Tax dollars are helping grow the industry with initia- tives including pushing high-speed internet to rural areas, improving security for government buildings and schools, and providing free Wi-Fi in public areas. The U.S. Depart- ment of Agriculture (USDA) has a program called "ReCon- nect" to supply high-speed internet (minimum 25 mbps download and 3 mbps upload) to serve rural areas that do not have sufficient broadband connectivity. In Wisconsin, the School Safety Initiative (SSI) offers grants for schools to install door access and additional surveillance to help increase school safety. Other states have similar programs that require telecom and ICT- related work to improve school security. This is just a small sampling of government initia- tives that impact the telecommunications and ICT industry. Most of the initiatives are aimed at system enhancements without much emphasis on building industry awareness. TECHNICAL COLLEGES TRAIN THE WORKFORCE Most of the technical and community colleges across the U.S. play a significant role in training local workforces. There are two sides to most technical colleges: the typical semester-based courses and hands-on custom training. Many community colleges throughout the U.S. offer a telecommunications curriculum. When closely inspect- ing the individual courses, however, it becomes apparent that many, if not most, of those courses are designed for IT and not ICT careers. "Technical colleges exist not only to teach classes but to solve problems and improve the health, quality of life, and the environment for everyone in the state. When we create a productive and healthy business community, everyone benefits. We don't have a profit motive. We're trying to make our state a better place to live by helping our businesses be successful," says Matt Janisin, vice presi- dent of Gateway Technical College's (Gateway) Business and Workforce Solutions. He adds, "In 2008 we recog- nized the need for specific training for the growing ICT industry, so we started our telecom program. The RCDDs in general management positions are compensated 23 percent more ($126,734 average) than those without the credential ($103,067).