Cisco Systems has announced a US$45 million, three-year commitment to support reconstruction efforts in China's earthquake-hit Sichuan Province. The networking giant sealed the commitment July 2 with the signing of a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) overseen by Sichuan Governor Jiang Jufeng and Cisco Chairman and CEO John Chambers, Cisco said.

Cisco first established operations in China in 1994 and now employs more than 3,000 staff in 12 offices across the Middle Kingdom. This week, Chambers and other US private and public sector leaders are in China as members of a US fact-finding delegation under the auspices of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Chinese government.

"As we witnessed firsthand the unimaginable destruction and spoke with those who have lost so much, it was impossible not to feel an urgency to help in the rebuilding and sustainability efforts," said Chambers. "Even in the face of such terrible devastation, this clearly is a resilient citizenry and a country that is committed to both rapidly rebuilding as well as looking to the future."

Cisco along with Chinese business, government and NGO (Non-Govermental Organizations) leaders have identified areas where the firm will commit its collaborative networking solutions, human expertise and resources towards reconstruction and redevelopment in Sichuan, said Cisco. The initiatives outlined in the MOU focus on working with public-private partnerships to help develop 21st century education and healthcare models, enabled by collaborative networked information technology and communications.

The company previously announced it has donated in excess of US $2.5 million raised from Cisco, the Cisco Foundation, and Cisco employees. But this new investment, according to Cisco, is not only aimed at long-term aid for the citizens of Sichuan Province, but also serves as a call for the global public and private sector to join in rebuilding efforts.

Healthcare efforts outlined in the MOU will build on the foundation of Sichuan's Health 2020 initiative, said Cisco, who plans to "work in collaboration with healthcare officials to develop a network of connected hospitals and healthcare solutions. Healthcare providers will be able to collaborate across the province, with access to online patient health records and other key innovative solutions that will help deliver higher quality care."

Cisco's education initiatives will be designed to support students and teachers to increase their competitiveness in a global marketplace, with a focus on the collaborative development of 21st century schools and education models. In addition to academic skills, this education model will focus on teacher training and the development of skills including collaboration, problem-solving, teamwork and communication, said Cisco.

 Source:computerworld