OREANDA-NEWS. Following the success of this summer's Pan Am/Parapan Am Games, Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO), with support from the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015), has established a technology legacy for Ontarians that will continue to serve local communities, while promoting innovation and economic development in the province. In its role as the Games' premier technology sponsor, Cisco will manage the legacy program on behalf of both organizations.

The technology, including Cisco® wired and wireless networks, data centre infrastructure, security, and collaboration tools, will be deployed as follows:

  • Many of the TORONTO 2015 sporting venues will continue to benefit from advanced networking technology, including: Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Course (Royal Canadian Henley Regatta), CIBC Hamilton Pan Am Soccer Stadium (Tim Hortons Field), Cisco Milton Pan Am/Parapan Am Velodrome (Mattamy National Cycling Centre), CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Aquatics Centre and Field House (Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre), Atos Markham Pan Am/Parapan Am Centre (Markham Pan Am Centre), Mississauga Sports Centre (Hershey Centre), OLG Caledon Pan Am Equestrian Park (Caledon Equestrian Park), CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Athletics Stadium (York University), CIBC Pan Am/Parapan Am Athletes' Village, and the Abilities Centre;
  • Ontario high schools, colleges and universities, including members of the Cisco Networking Academy® program, whose students and instructors volunteered during the Games, will benefit from select networking technology for their student labs;
  • Select schools participating in the Connected North program; and,
  • Selected non-profit organizations across Canada.

"Building an end-to-end network infrastructure for the TORONTO 2015 Games has showcased the possibilities of Fast IT and will serve as a platform for continued digital growth which spans beyond the games," said Bernadette Wightman, president, Cisco Canada. "This technology legacy will continue to support athletic and educational excellence, scale and impact across the Not-for-Profit sector, and set the stage for future economic growth."

"The TORONTO 2015 Games technology legacy is not just about leaving behind physical equipment; it has also left an indelible mark on future generations through a number of education initiatives," said Willa Black, vice president, corporate affairs, Cisco Canada. "The Cisco 2015 Games STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) program has engaged thousands of students across Canada in over 140 communities with a fun and educational program tying science, technology, engineering and math content to the world of sports, delivered through curriculum, an online community, videos and virtual field trips. It's something that students will remember for years to come and will hopefully inspire them to become Canada's future innovators."

The phenomenal success of the Cisco 2015 STEM program highlighted teacher interest in, and demand for, dynamic STEM teaching tools. As a result, the curriculum and suite of digital learning tools is active and available for teachers across Canada for the 2015/16 school year at http://icanlearn.ciscotoronto2015.ca/. In addition, 300 students from 23 Cisco Networking Academies helped bring the TORONTO 2015 Games to life as on-site volunteers across the venues and, as part of Cisco's investment in STEM education and Canada's 21st century workforce, legacy technology will be deployed in Student Labs to provide dynamic hands-on learning environments.

"This is the final leg of our dynamic partnership with Cisco Canada," said Brian Cook, vice-president, IT, TO2015. "Without the robust technology infrastructure and support from Cisco, the Games would not have been possible. I am very pleased that this technology will now equip local institutions and legacy venues, and continue to serve Ontario communities."