Students claim distinguished title after rigorous three-round contest

OSHAWA – After completing three rounds of intense and challenging networking tests, two Durham College students have emerged as the best in Canada after finishing as the top Canadian team at the international Cisco Networking Academy 2009 NetRiders Skills Challenge. Chris Cowie and Danny Machnik, third-year students in the Computer Systems Technology program were recognized as the top competitors in Canada and placed second overall out of 38 teams from North America after the final round of the annual networking competition on November 20.

“On behalf of the college, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to Chris and Danny on winning this exciting competition,” said Don Lovisa, president of Durham College. “Their hard work is reflected in their well-deserved success. Their victory signifies Durham College’s place as a prominent and well-respected post-secondary institution in the business and information technology sector.”

For their successful efforts, Cowie and Machnik will receive an all-expense paid trip to San Jose, California to visit Cisco’s headquarters in January 2010. The duo outperformed almost 10,000 entrants representing more than 60 colleges and 19 universities from across Canada and the United States over the course of three rounds of online activities and exams.

“I am delighted by these amazing results and am extremely proud of Chris and Danny,” said Judy Spring, dean of the School of Business, IT & Management. “Sharing in this fantastic achievement are Computer Systems Technology Program Co-ordinator Ramzanali Jaffer and Professor Adam Baran who have supported the team every step of the way. We are all thrilled with this remarkable recognition!”

The results come on the heels of Cowie and Machnik winning the second round of the competition to represent Ontario in Round 3. Fellow third-year Computer Systems Technology students Matt Goosen and Dave MacKay also had an impressive showing, finishing in second place during Round 2, giving Durham College the top two networking teams in the province.

“I can’t even begin to describe how it felt to win, it was an amazing feeling,” said Cowie. “I have to thank the amazing teachers here at the college who want to see us succeed and have always challenged me to do better and push myself. I’m proud of our effort and success and that we achieved it while representing Durham College.”

The Cisco Networking Academy 2009 NetRiders Skills Challenge included online theoretical exams and Packet Tracer activities and exams. The Cisco Packet Tracer e-learning software is a powerful network simulation program that allows students to experiment with network behaviour and ask what if questions, while providing simulation, visualization, authoring, assessment and collaboration capabilities. It also facilitates the teaching and learning of complex technology concepts.

“I would like to thank Cisco Systems and Durham College for providing the opportunity to take part in this competition,” said Machnik. “The level of education we receive at this institution is excellent and based on the skill set I have acquired through Durham College and this competition I feel very confident in my ability to obtain a career in the industry upon graduation.”

Round 1 (team qualifier) took place between October 12 and 21 where teams were required to complete a 60-question exam in 45 minutes, a Packet Tracer activity in 35 minutes and a Packet Tracer exam of 10 questions in 15 minutes. Of the top 10 finishers moving onto the second round, five were students from Durham College.

The second round (state/provincial qualifier) was held between October 28 and November 6 and was made up of a theoretical exam of 80 questions to be finished in 60 minutes, a Packet Tracer activity in 60 minutes and a Packet Tracer exam of 20 questions to be completed in 30 minutes. Following Round 2, Cowie and Machnik were awarded first place with Goosen and McKay finishing second.

The third and final round was virtually-conducted on November 20 and was composed of a theoretical exam of 100 questions to be completed in 60 minutes, a Packet Tracer activity in 60 minutes and a Packet Tracer exam of 20 questions to be finished in 30 minutes. Following the virtual round, Cowie and Machnik were notified via e-mail of their successful results. Jaffer and Baran were responsible for ensuring that the students’ equipment was running properly and that the Packet Tracer 5.2 software was installed, while also acting as the proctor to verify that time requirements were adhered to.

“These results are a clear indication of the excellence exhibited in our programs and their teachers,” said Jaffer. “It also demonstrates the strengths in our students, assuring their success following the completion of their studies. I am extremely proud of all of the students and feel privileged to have been a part of the entire process.”

Cowie and Machnik will join the top American team from the Community College of Rhode Island in Warwick, Rhode Island at Cisco’s headquarters in San Jose from January 10 to 15 where they will receive tours of the company’s corporate offices and Stanford University, sightsee in San Francisco, California and visit another technology company.