Fiber U Learning about Fiber Optics (original) (raw)
What Was A Fiber U Conference?
Fiber U was the name given by a fiber optic magazine editor to a conference created in 1992 by Jim Hayes of Fotec as a fiber optic training conference with these goals:
� Provide a introduction to fiber optics to the novice tech and network user
� Provide advanced seminars and training on state of the art equipment for the experienced fiber optic tech
� Provide a forum for manufacturers to introduce potential customers to their advanced products and train those people in their use.
� Have a instructor training track to develop more competent instructors.
Unlike typical training seminars taught by one instructor, Fiber U combines lectures by many highly knowledgeable instructors and uses manufacturers to provide hands-on training on their equipment. During the 1990s, dozens of Fiber U conferences were held as a standalone conference and as part of major trade shows and meetings. Conferences had up to 250 students and 40 vendors, taking over complete hotels and filling conference areas - even parking lots - with training sessions. After the 1994 conference, the Fiber U instructors decided that the fiber optic industry was ready to have its own professional society and the FOA was born.
In 1997, the name Fiber U was also used for the first online courses in fiber optics. Since then, the FOA has expanded Fiber U to provide free online training to the personnel in fiber optics.