Cisco Systems organises Academy Day for CNAP fraternity in Saudi Arabia

The program was organised in a bid to internalise the knowledge and expertise of the partners and to evaluate the latest developments of CNAP.

CNAP is a comprehensive instructor led global e-learning program formulated by Cisco Systems, to empower individuals to overcome the digital divide transcending the boundaries of geography and socio economic status, by teaching students valuable Internet technology skills. It covers a broad range of topics, from basic networking skills to more complex concepts such as applying advanced troubleshooting tools.

There are 35 partners for CNAP in Saudi Arabia offering a range of courses that lead to Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification, and courses that expose the learner to, essentials of Information Technology, Voice and Data Cabling.

Commenting on the forum, Dr. Badr Al Badr, Country Manager, Saudi Arabia, Cisco Systems Middle East, said, "As society is driven by technology, there is a great need to address the growing technology skills gap, which may prove vital for a country to stay viable in today's digital age. CNAP is Cisco Systems' flagship educational initiative founded in order to address this very need. As Saudi Arabia is set on a path of an increasing digital transformation, it has become the express intent of Cisco Systems to address the needs of the professional networking skill base in the Kingdom. Cisco Systems is committed to provide the most advanced training and is working to incorporate CNAP part of technical courses in Saudi Arabia. CNAP initiative is aimed at universities, colleges, training institutes to spread the latest know how in IT and Networking technology.

"This forum will enable us to garner in depth understanding of the needs and expectations of our partners, in addition to according them the opportunity to share the knowledge base on the implementation of the program, so that we can strategies our future course of action to continue CNAP's success in the Kingdom," he added.

During the forum, 'Cisco Academy Conference' for Europe, Middle East and Africa, slated to take place in Valencia, Spain from September 8-9, 2005, was brought to the notice of the participants. The Academy Conference is a key event for the Cisco Networking Academy Community as latest updates on Cisco Technology and the Cisco Academy program will be unveiled at the two-day gathering.

"CNAP local partners have been extremely resourceful in the past many years since the inception of the program in the Kingdom in 2000," continued Dr Badr. "The forum ensures that Cisco Systems is able to guide our partners to maximise their potential and enables them to position CNAP so that the program's benefits are fully delivered to the students."

Launched in 1997, CNAP has grown to more than 10000 academies in more than 150 countries. The curriculum that comprises a variety of courses for careers in network design and administration, technical support, programming, software engineering, database development and administration, is delivered in 9 languages to over 400,000 students in academies in high schools, colleges, universities, technical schools, community based organisations and other educational programs around the world.
Cisco Systems has localised the CNAP program into Arabic, for the benefit of the various sectors in the Middle Eastern Countries.