Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Cisco recently announced that its largest and most enduring corporate social responsibility program, the Cisco® Networking Academy®, has enrolled its 1 millionth concurrent student for the first time. In partnership with educational institutions, government administrations and community based organizations around the world, the Networking Academy delivers information and communications technology (ICT) education through effective in-classroom learning combined with innovative cloud-based curricula and tools to prepare students for careers in the 21st-century global economy.

The Cisco Networking Academy program started in the United Arab Emirates in 1999. Today there are 870 active Cisco Academy Training Centers in the Middle East with over 168,000 students since inception. 40 NetAcads are located in the UAE with 5,601 students since inception (CCNA, ITE, CCNP) after the 10% increase from 2010 which is equivalent to 2,019 new students and 83 active instructors. Over 1,090 students have completed the program to date in the UAE.

Key Highlights:

The Networking Academy began in 1997 with 64 schools and has grown to become one of the "world's largest classrooms" with 10,000 academies in 165 countries, and nearly 4 million students having participated in the program to date.

A pioneering example of cloud-based education delivery, the Networking Academy teaches students how to design, build, troubleshoot, and secure computer networks for increased access to career and economic opportunities in communities around the world. Students who complete the program often go on to secure entry-level career opportunities, participate in continuing education and achieve globally recognized career certifications.

Networking Academy courses are delivered in multiple languages through a cloud-based learning system. Courses are supported by classroom instruction, hands-on learning activities, and interactive online assessments that provide personalized feedback. Networking Academy instructors receive extensive training and support to help ensure a consistently-enriching learning experience for students around the world.

Cisco is celebrating this milestone by offering Networking Academy students and alumni the chance to show the benefits of this unique classroom experience through a video contest titled "Why is The Cisco Networking Academy Classroom Like No Otheræ"

Quotes:

Mu'men Suliman, GCC region, Area Academy Manager, Cisco:
"Networking Academy is truly the world's largest classroom. The unique delivery model combines the power of the network and the cloud with the global need for ICT skills-based education to address the critical need for networking professionals around the world."

Key Networking Academy Facts:

1 million Networking Academy students worldwide concurrently engaged in learning this year

Nearly 4 million students reached by the Networking Academy to date

10,000 Networking Academies operating in 165 countries

1 million online assessments delivered monthly

100 million online assessments delivered to date

175,000 Facebook fans, whose numbers are growing daily

For More Information:

Cisco Networking Academy: www.cisco.com/go/netacad

Locate a Networking Academy program in your area: http://cisco.netacad.net/cnams/locators/LocatorMain.jsp

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