FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Students at the University of Arkansas College of Engineering will gain valuable insight and hands-on network and computer security experience using high-tech computer devices thanks to a gift from Bell Labs/Lucent Technologies. The company has provided $1.2 million worth of equipment to be used by computer scientists and computer engineers on the different aspects of information security.

The gift, to the Department of Computer Science and Computer Engineering, includes three computer-based multi-service secure switches and the accompanying computer software and interface boards.

Ashok Saxena, dean of the College of Engineering, said, "Bell Labs/Lucent Technologies is making a significant investment in the future of our engineering program. This industry-university partnership will help to assure that our engineering graduates can compete in the world’s high-tech marketplace."

Professor Kazem Sohraby, head of the department of computer science and computer engineering, said, "These devices will bring our university to the forefront of network infrastructure and systems security research. They will enable our faculty and students to experiment and research with tools and techniques for cyber security, information assurance and protection. In an era where secure information is critical to the success of businesses and protection of our nation, we are proud to take the lead in establishing a nationally recognized program in secure networks and systems with the help of Bell Labs."

Lucent Technologies, headquartered in Murray Hill, N.J., USA, designs and delivers networks for the world’s largest communications service providers. Backed by Bell Labs research and development, Lucent relies on its strengths in mobility, optical, data and voice networking technologies as well as software and services to develop next-generation networks. The company’s systems, services and software are designed to help customers quickly deploy and better manage their networks and create new, revenue-generating services that help businesses and consumers.

This gift counts toward the $300 Million Challenge, the campaign-within-a-campaign to raise $300 million for academic purposes to match the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation’s $300 million gift. Challenge funds must be raised between Jan. 1, 2002, and June 30, 2005, the end of the Campaign. The Challenge total stands at $124.3 million, and the overall Campaign total stands at $753.8 million as of Sept. 30, 2003. The College of Engineering has raised $34.2 million against its $54.8 million goal.