Zen Internet joins forces with Salford University

Information Technology (IT) students at the Information Systems Institute, part of Salford University could earn themselves a place on a graduate recruitment scheme with Rochdale-based, Internet Service Provider (ISP), Zen Internet thanks to an initiative to create a trouble-shooting guide to installing broadband Internet.

Zen Internet, one of the UK's leading ISPs, has joined forces with fifteen final year IT students at the Information Systems Institute to produce this guide in the form of a CD-Rom. The CD-Rom will then be issued to Zen Internet's customers when they are sent their broadband Internet connection kit and will provide advice on solving problems related to installing this equipment.

The students will be assessed on their work with Zen Internet and the results will contribute towards their degree. On completion of this project, Zen Internet will also be offering a number of places on its graduate recruitment scheme to those students it feels demonstrate the greatest potential.

"As an IT graduate from Salford University myself, I knew that the students would jump at the opportunity to work with us to produce our trouble-shooting CD-Rom," said Stuart Birchall, technical services manager, Zen Internet.

"Having been in their position, I recognise the importance of real work experience and appreciate how hard it can be to get a job after graduation. This scheme not only allows us to create a useful tool for our customers, but may also result in an offer of work for those dedicated individuals that demonstrate potential."

"This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to work with one of the UK's leading Internet Service Providers," said Mark Jones, course tutor, Salford University. "This opportunity gives our students a real insight into the Internet service provision industry, and the results of this project will count towards their degree."

The CD Rom will contain a step-by-step guide to help customers solve some common problems associated with installing a broadband modem as well as ADSL line quality and authentication issues.