DALIAN, China — January 6, 2010 — The Cisco® Networking Training Center officially launched its first program today in the northeastern city of Dalian. Students recruited from all over China became the first participants, seeking ways to improve their employability through Cisco's network training courses and best practices.

Key facts:

• Based in the Dalian High-Tech Zone, the Cisco Networking Training Center is sponsored by Cisco and jointly developed by Cisco, the Dalian High-Tech Zone Administrative Committee and VanceInfo Technologies.
• The three parties will each apply their unique resources to develop an advanced networking professional training program, with the primary objective of developing high-level information technology talent in Dalian city and northeast China.
• The establishment of the Cisco Networking Training Center in Dalian represents continued cooperation between Cisco and the Dalian High-Tech Zone in spurring local and regional economic growth. The two previously cooperated in establishing the Cisco Dalian Service Practice Center, which provides comprehensive services to customers throughout northeast Asia and accelerates local economic growth.
• The training center takes these efforts further to develop high-caliber networking professionals who will help the city create employment opportunities, meet local demand, and promote growth in the city's information industry.

Executive Quotes:

Yuan Chi, director of Dalian High-tech Zone Investment Promotion Bureau:

"Today we welcome the very first group of students to the Networking Training Center, where they will start their education that can lead them to a great career in networking. Dalian has a growing demand for networking talent, which is increasingly in short supply for both governmental organizations and industries throughout the city. The Networking Training Center's advanced training system and practical coursework will fill this gap, cultivating high-level networking talent suited to meet society's practical needs and accelerating local economic development."

Jeanne Beliveau-Dunn, general manager for Learning@Cisco:

"The formal opening of the Cisco Networking Training Center marks another milestone in Cisco's long-term commitment to China. We hope through this program to share Cisco's best practices and technological expertise while strengthening our cooperation with government and our training partners. As part of our continued effort to cultivate and accelerate local innovation, the development of networking talent will support the sustainable growth of the Chinese economy."

Liu Zhong, executive vice president, VanceInfo

"VanceInfo has comprehensive IT service expertise and strong training operation capabilities, so we are very excited to be working together with Dalian High-Tech Zone and Cisco to train high-level IT talent in China. We believe this platform will help Dalian develop the advanced networking talent that will close the gap between the existing talent pool and China's future needs."

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