CompTIA Teams with Lunghwa University to Bring Industry's Leading IT Certification Program to Taiwan.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. & KUEISHAN TAOYUAN, Taiwan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 17, 2003--

Booming technology sector makes Taiwan ideal environment for CompTIA

professional certifications 

CompTIA, the Computing Technology Industry Association, and Lunghwa University of Science & Technology, a leading institution of higher education in Taiwan, today announced they are collaborating to bring CompTIA's certification programs to Lunghwa students.

Beginning in early 2004, Lunghwa University will train students in CompTIA's A+, Linux+ and Network+ certifications, the worldwide benchmark of best practices for entry-level computer technicians and information technology (IT) professionals. CompTIA certifications provide individuals with a solid foundation for continuing education and on-the-job experience, and serve as a mark of professional achievement.

"The dynamic growth of Taiwan's technology sector makes the country an ideal environment for CompTIA's certification offerings, and Lunghwa University is the perfect partner for us," said John Venator, chief executive officer and president, CompTIA. "Taiwan's bold national initiative to develop as a 'Green Silicon Island' demonstrates its commitment to move to the forefront of the world's IT and communications industries."

Lunghwa University of Science and Technology was founded in 1967 by Mr. Fa-ming Sun, the "Father of Chinese Cables," and Mrs. Su-chuan Chen as a technical junior college to train students with science and technology potential. Today, the university offers higher learning programs in 12 departments and four graduate schools, including computer information, network engineering, multimedia, game science, mechanical engineering, and business and management. Lunghwa University has produced nearly 30,000 graduates.

Through its collaboration with CompTIA, Lunghwa University will implement a series of competency based courses and certification training programs for its students. This initiative demonstrates the university's continuing adaptation to the needs of individual career development, national sustainable progress and globalization, thus providing the national manpower needed for Taiwan to grow and prosper in the 21st century.

High Growth in Taiwan's High-Tech Sector

The demand for highly skilled and certified IT professionals is present throughout Taiwan's economy. Taiwan is the world's fourth-largest computer hardware supplier, trailing only the United States, Japan, and China. Taiwan's 1,000 computer hardware manufacturers provide jobs for approximately 130,000 employees. Also:

-- By the year 2006, Taiwan is forecast to become the world's

third largest semiconductor supplier, with production value

reaching NT$1.59 trillion (US$47.1 billion) and three of its

companies among the world's top 10 chipmakers.

-- More than 90 percent of Taiwan's large enterprises have

implemented Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.

-- Taiwan's Application Service Provider (ASP) market is expected

to grown to NT$2 billion in 2003. Key elements of ASP

development in Taiwan include security, connection bandwidth

and service quality management.

-- It is estimated that the "e-Taiwan" initiative will increase

the net profit of the country's information security market

from NT$50.7 billion in 2001 to NT$242 billion in 2007.

Future trends in Taiwan's information software industry include accelerated development of online gaming, Internet cafes, Internet banking, call center systems, data warehousing, and customer relationship management solutions.

The Value of CompTIA Certifications

CompTIA certifications validates that the successful candidate has the knowledge and skills necessary to completely install, build, configure, upgrade, troubleshoot, and repair personal computer hardware and operating systems, including troubleshooting basic network and Internet connectivity.

Employers believe CompTIA certification is important to them because it contributes to increased customer satisfaction, simplifies recruiting and hiring, lowers training costs, and provides measurable competency standards.

About CompTIA

CompTIA is a global trade association representing the business interests of the information technology industry. For more than 20 years CompTIA has provided research, networking and partnering opportunities to its more than 16,000 members in 89 countries. The association is involved in developing standards and best practices, and influencing the political, economic and educational arenas that impact IT worldwide. More information is at www.comptia.org.