Aruba Networks' Mobility Academy Teaches Fundamentals of Wireless Networks

As wireless technology is becoming a prevalent means of doing things both in our private and professional lives, it's only fitting to provide the younger generation, or the IT leaders of tomorrow, with the skills necessary to support this way of life in years to come. Aruba Networks, a provider of next-generation network access solutions for the mobile enterprise, has created the world's first mobility-specific education program intended to teach college and university students the fundamental skills required to build, maintain, and advance wireless LAN networks.

Known as Aruba Mobility Academy, the for-credit semester-long courses incorporate lectures and labs that cover numerous topics revolving around the basics of wireless LAN solutions, which include 802.11 Wi-Fi standards, network mobility architecture and wireless LAN configuration. The lab portion of the curriculum gives students a hands-on experience in setting up and configuring a wireless LAN, in addition to fine-tuning the wireless infrastructure to work with mobile devices.

The education program is a global one, with Texas A&M University, TAFE (Technical and Further Education) South Australia and Princess Sumaya University in Jordan being the first set of schools to participate. One student that has seen the benefits of this new program is TAFE South Australia student Daryl Maslin.

“The addition of a wireless-specific networking course was a critical ingredient in my Advanced Diploma program,” Maslin said in a press release. "Completing the Aruba Mobility Academy has helped me gain a stronger foundation to build and secure wireless LAN networks, which has given me a competitive edge in my career as a Systems Engineer.”

Aruba Networks is currently working with many colleges and universities around the world to give more students access to the Aruba Mobility Academy.

Dr. Ana Goulart, associate professor of Electronic Systems Engineering Technology at Texas A&M, said in a statement, "With the Aruba Mobility Academy curriculum, including hands-on lab lessons, students gain a pragmatic understanding of Wi-Fi and learn how to keep the network secure while providing access to a variety of wireless and mobile devices."