Body Of Release-->HOCHIMINH CITY, Vietnam - 2 February 2002 - Cisco Systems, Inc., the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, announced today the inauguration of a new representative office in Hochihminh City, reinforcing its commitment to Vietnam. Together with its current rep office in Hanoi, the new office located in Saigon Software Park will help Cisco serve its customers and partners in the country more effectively.
The launch of the new office, built around Cisco's New World Workplace (NWW) concept, coincided with the first year anniversary of the Cisco Networking Academy in the country, another symbol of Cisco's commitment to the country. In addition, the company also announced that the first batch of Cisco Networking Academy students have graduated with CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) qualification from the Saigon Center of Techniques and Technology (SaigonCTT) and will be moving into the workforce.
"Vietnam has weathered the global economic slowdown better than most other countries in the region. More importantly the country has shown a desire to take this opportunity to catch up with the rest of the world. Our conversations with government and business leaders indicate that they realize the importance of Internet and networking technologies and are eager to see how they can benefit quickly from them," said Bill Chang, Regional Managing Director of ASEAN for Cisco Systems.
"Our enhanced presence in the country through the Hochihminh rep office will enable us to better help these organizations to realize the productivity and cost benefits of technologies such as IP telephony, Wireless LAN, Optical Networking, Storage Networking and Long Reach Ethernet."
The objective of the New World Workplace (NWW) office concept is to create a flexible, productive work environment. The effective use of state-of-the-art technology for work enhances anywhere, anytime work choices, reiterating Cisco's position as not only the leading provider of Internet technologies but also as the leading adopter of innovative New World solutions.
Cisco's NWW strategy provides for a wide variety of workspaces for use for mobile and visiting staff, namely just-in-time offices, unassigned workstations, quiet rooms, collaboration areas and touchdowns. Cisco's NWW strategy has been implemented in over 80 offices across the globe, and aims to provide the same flexible, scalable, productive, and innovative workplaces in Hochihminh. The new office will also be a showcase of Cisco's technologies with employees utilizing Cisco IP Phones and Cisco Aironet wireless networking solutions.
Cisco Networking Academy Program
The Cisco Networking Academy program is also another way that the company is contributing to Vietnam by equipping young students with the skills they will need to compete in the Internet economy. Focused on teaching students to design, build, and maintain computer networks, the Cisco Networking Academy Program is a partnership between Cisco Systems, education, business, government, and community organizations around the world. In Vietnam, Cisco currently works with SaigonCTT.
The fifty-five students from the Cisco Networking Academy at SaigonCTT are the first in the country to move into the workforce equipped with the skills to contribute to the development of the Internet and networking industry in Vietnam.
"Cisco Networking Academy Program has been warmly welcomed by the young generation of Vietnamese despite being only a year old. The excellent results earned by the graduating students demonstrates their thirst for knowledge and their willingness to master advanced technologies. They have overcome constraints such as the English language, and embraced the new model of e-learning and hands-on laboratory sessions with tremendous enthusiasm," said Vuong Manh Son, Director of SaigonCTT.
About Saigon Center of Techniques and Technology (SaigonCTT)
SaigonCTT is an organisation of science and technology specializing in Mathematics, Informatics, Telecommunications. SaigonCTT is appointed to be Cisco Regional Networking Academy in VietNam. SaigonCTT is given right to launch Cisco Networking Academy Program (CNAP) which trains students skills to sit the internationally recognized CCNA and CCNP examinations. For further information, please visit: www.saigonctt.com.vn
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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