Cisco Networking Academy Program announces record student numbers in Egypt

Since the program's inception, this brings the total number of Networking Academy students to almost 11,500.

Each student undergoes a comprehensive technology-based training curriculum that can provide them with skills they can utilize in their future professional careers.

The first Networking Academy in Egypt started in Cairo in December 1997.

Today, more than 10 years later, the total number of Networking Academies has grown to 376 throughout the country.

Additionally, The Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research recently announced plans to integrate the Cisco Certified Network Administrator (CCNA) and Information Technology Essentials (ITE) curriculum into all engineering and computer science colleges and technology Institutes across the country.

"We are pleased the Networking Academy is gaining tremendous momentum throughout Egypt's education community as well as amongst its leadership. This alignment of visions will act as a great boast to Cisco's efforts to contribute to the Egyptian knowledge economy and support its long-term investments in the country," said Hani Abdel Aziz, Cisco general manager in Egypt.

The Egyptian model in using information technology curriculum to raise the level of human qualifications is one of the most successful among developing countries worldwide.

2008 marks great increase in the number Cisco academies across the country, with 270 academies in the Ministry of Education alone, which exceeds the outcome of the plan set three years ago.

Last April, the Ministry has graduated 800 teachers and over 4,000 students who finished their ITE training as part of the Egyptian Education Initiative launched in 2006.

"It wouldn't have been possible for Cisco Networking Academy to reach the same level of achievements in the country if it wasn't for the increasing support of the government as part of the Egyptian Education Initiative, which Cisco has been working closely with," added Abdel Aziz.

Additionally, and with 38 percent of the enrolled students in Egypt being female, the Networking Academy program has also been highly successful in bridging the digital 'gender' gap in Egypt.

Empowering women with the technical knowledge and demand-driven networking skills helps to ensure a gender sensitive policy environment, thus giving women a competitive edge in the job market.

"The Cisco Networking Academy Program helps to bridge the digital divide by equipping students with Internet Technology skills essential in a global economy. The comprehensive e-learning program integrates face-to-face teaching with a Web-based curriculum, online assessment tools, and hands-on laboratory exercises in this blended learning environment," said Nihal Attia, North African Levant Networking Academy Program Manager in Cisco.

Studies worldwide show a gap between the information technology (IT) jobs available and enough qualified candidates to fill them.

The Cisco Networking Academy provides IT skills to students, globally, to improve their career and economic opportunities.

Studies showed that over 67% of trainees who completed the program said they were able to find jobs easily, and 12% said they started their own companies.

"Increasing the knowledge and skills of the local population grows the talent pool available to Information Communication Technology (ICT) companies throughout the region, and contributes to national competitiveness, paving the way for new e-learning initiatives that can act as a catalyst in the country's ambitious growth and development plans," concluded Attia.