25 January 2002

BIC Systems awarded BIFHE Millfield Campus contract

Belfast-based BIC Systems have been awarded a contract by the Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education (BIFHE) to be the sole supplier of IT solutions for the Institute.

This contract will include the supply of over 600 PC workstations and the provision of the IT infrastructure for the newly built Millfield Campus, which is due to open later this year.

The partnership, between the largest educational establishment for further and higher education in Northern Ireland and BIC Systems, is set to raise the profile of the Institute in both educational and business circles.

Alan Dummigan, Assistant Director and Head of the Department of Learning and Teaching Resources, said: "This contract with BIC Systems is unique and is more of a strategic alliance with the Belfast Institute. In addition to supplying Hardware and Software, BIC Systems will also supply enterprise and training services that will be of great benefit to all Belfast Institute students.

"We are therefore very pleased to announce that BIC Systems, an indigenous company to Belfast, is the preferred supplier and we look forward to progressing the partnership over the coming years.”

Mr Ed Vernon, Managing Director of BIC Systems, said the strategic partnership between the private sector and the education sector had the potential to deliver a significant educational advantage through technology and skills transfer.

The largest provider of further and higher education in Northern Ireland, the Belfast Institute has an enrolment of over 43,000 students, whose studies range from basic literacy and numeracy through to degree equivalent and degree level. (SP)