Curtin University has appointed global tech industry leader Carl Solder as Adjunct Professor in a move designed to fast-track innovation and develop the next generation of tech talent.
Mr Solder – the Chief Technology Officer of Cisco Australia and New Zealand – brings a wealth of global expertise to Curtin following a 40-year career in Australia, New Zealand, the Asia-Pacific region, and the United States, including 19 years in Silicon Valley.
While employed in the US, Mr Solder worked within Cisco’s core engineering teams, playing a pivotal role in the development of groundbreaking enterprise, data centre and cloud networking products.
His work has been instrumental in shaping the digital infrastructure for many of the world’s Fortune 500 companies, placing him at the forefront of the world’s technology sector.
At Curtin, Mr Solder will mentor students, deliver specialised seminars and provide students with unique insights into the practical application of networking technologies and the strategic leadership required to succeed in the global tech industry.
Mr Solder said becoming an Adjunct Professor was not only a “profound honour” but also a “full-circle moment”, after completing his undergraduate degree at Curtin in 1984.
“It is an incredibly rewarding thought to be able to give back to the institution that provided the foundation for my career,” Mr Solder said.
“I look forward to engaging with the next generation of technologists, sharing the lessons learned from the heart of Silicon Valley, and helping students navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of global technology.”
Mr Solder was appointed via the Curtin Institute for Data Science to work with Innovation Central Perth – an industry and research collaboration centre founded by Curtin and Cisco.
Curtin Institute for Data Science Executive Director Professor Melanie Johnston-Hollitt welcomed Mr Solder’s appointment, adding it underscored Curtin and Cisco’s ongoing commitment to fostering innovation and developing the next generation of tech leaders.
“We are thrilled to welcome Carl back to the Curtin community,” Professor Johnston-Hollitt said.
“His career is a testament to the impact our graduates can have on the global stage. Having someone of Carl’s calibre share his real-world experience and technical expertise will be an invaluable asset to our students as they prepare for their own careers in the technology sector.”
Curtin Computer Systems and Networking student Christian Badenhorst first met Mr Solder through an internship at ICP. He said the appointment would provide him with excellent real-life insight into the networking world he planned to go into once his studies were completed.
“Carl is a very down-to-earth guy and easy to converse with, and along with his vast knowledge in his area of work, will make him an amazing professor,” Mr Badenhorst said.
