TORONTO, ON - January 23, 2002 - The Cisco Networking Academy Program is an internationally acclaimed educational initiative designed to teach networking skills and information technology fundamentals to students around the world.

"Internetworking is an exciting and increasingly important industry in our knowledge-based economy. With the help of Cisco Systems Canada, Western engineering graduates and our continuing studies students will be well prepared to become leaders in this field," says Dr. Paul Davenport, President of The University of Western Ontario.

"We chose to team with Cisco Systems Canada because the Cisco Networking Academy Program offers our engineering students increased specialization and practical knowledge in networking," says Franco Berruti, Dean of Western's Faculty of Engineering Science.

Engineering students who wish to take the full Networking Academy curriculum will graduate with a Bachelor of Engineering Science, as well as a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) designation. Western is also adding the Networking Academy program to its adult education, retraining and continuing education programs through the Western Centre for Continuing Studies.

"The workforce demands IT skills, and we look forward to offering our students the very best - the Cisco networking courses, which are the first step in Cisco career certification," says Sharon Collins, Director of the Western Centre for Continuing Studies. "In fact, our first courses begin January 28."

"As one of Canada's leading universities, The University of Western Ontario is committed to fostering the tech-savvy leaders and innovators Canada needs to compete in the global Internet economy. Adding the Cisco Networking Academy curriculum to its Engineering and Continuing Studies Programs is yet another step towards this goal," says Pierre-Paul Allard, managing director, Cisco Systems Canada Co.

Allard adds, "The Cisco Networking Academy Program has been a phenomenal success in Canada and around the world. There are now more than 8,400 Networking Academies in 133 countries around the globe. It is very gratifying to see how the program has taken off in Canada, with more than 9,000 Canadian students currently enrolled in 320 educational institutions from coast-to-coast."

An international success story: The Cisco Networking Academy Program
The Cisco Networking Academy Program is a partnership between Cisco Systems, education, business, government, and community organizations around the world. By 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.

The program combines online learning and testing with instructor-led training and hands-on laboratory exercises, in which students apply what they learn in class by working on actual networks. The innovative e-learning approach allows students to proceed through lessons at their own pace and use visual explanations of technology.

Media contacts:

• Marcia Daniel
  Media Relations Officer
  The University of Western Ontario
  (519) 661-2111 ext. 85468
  E-mail: mdaniel@uwo.ca

• Gareth Pettigrew
  Cisco Systems Canada
  (416) 961-5595 ext. 428
  E-mail: gareth@stratamp.com

• Willa Black
  Cisco Systems Canada Co.
  (416) 306-7732
  Pager: 1-800-68-CISCO
  E-mail: wblack@cisco.com

Information on the Cisco Program through The Western Centre for Continuing Studies can be found at http://www.uwo.ca/.