JAKARTA, Indonesia -- 8 March 2001 -- The Indonesian Ministry of National Education's Directorate of Technical and Vocational Education and Cisco Systems, the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, signed a Memorandum of Understanding today to jointly establish twenty Cisco Networking Academies in technical and vocational schools and vocational education development centers around the country. Five of the schools will start offering the program to their students from June 2001.

The Cisco Networking Academy Program is a partnership between Cisco Systems, education, business, government, and community organizations around the world that centers on teaching students to design, build, and maintain computer networks. The Program prepares students for the 21st Century workplace, while serving as a valuable model for e-learning. There are already seven Cisco Networking Academies operating in schools and universities in Indonesia.

Signing the MoU on behalf of the Ministry of National Education, Director of Technical and Vocational Education, Mr. Gatot Hariprijowirjanto said that the curriculum offered by the Networking Academy program would provide a strong foundation for the students going through the program and equip them with the skills necessary to succeed in the global economy.

"More importantly, these students are going to form an important pillar of the Indonesian economy as the government and the people gear up for competition on the world stage. Educational programs like this are important for our country and it is essential that we roll them out as quickly as possible throughout the country," he added.

Mr Hermanto Murniadi, Cisco's Country Manager in Indonesia applauded the Indonesian government's support for the Networking Academy program. "The skills and knowledge offered by our program will be one of the most important that these students will learn. Internet and networking technologies are the lynchpin of the new global economy and the nations, organizations and individuals with the necessary skills will have a very significant competitive edge."

Launched in 1997, the Cisco Networking Academy Program is a comprehensive 8-semester/560-hour course that trains students and in-transition workers to design, build, and maintain computer networks. Students are also prepared for industry standard certifications including the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), the first steps towards the holy grail of professional Internet certification, the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE).

Today, more than 176,000 students in over 6,300 Cisco Networking Academies in a 114 countries are going through the program. The Networking Academy program is also an e-learning model that delivers Web-based educational content, online testing, student performance tracking, hands-on labs, and instructor training and support. With a curriculum developed by education and networking experts, the Networking Academy program is offered at high schools, technical schools, colleges and universities, community-based organizations, and other educational programs around the world. It demonstrates a highly successful alliance among Cisco Systems, educators, governments, leading technology companies, and nonprofit organizations as it prepares graduates for the demands and opportunities of the New Internet Economy.

About Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Cisco news and information are available at www.cisco.com.

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