DHAKA, Bangladesh - January 20, 2003 - Cisco Systems today announced the appointment of seven of Bangladesh's premier technical institutes as Cisco Networking Academies. As a result of this announcement, the seven institutes will offer Cisco's global Networking Academy Program to around 350 students annually across five cities in Bangladesh.

The seven institutes, along with the Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology (BUET), will offer a complete, four-semester 280 hours program on the principles and practice of designing, building, and maintaining networks capable of supporting national and global organizations.

"Over the past year, Cisco has worked very closely with international agencies and institutes of technical education in Bangladesh to offer world-class networking education. Our long-term intent is to help create a pool of IT professionals who can help drive greater adoption of technology and communications to enable Bangladesh to succeed globally," said Manoj Chugh, President (India & SAARC), Cisco Systems.

Cisco has partnered with international organisations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)/Asia Pacific Development Information Programme (APDIP) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to establish Networking Academies in Bangladesh. In fact, the first Academy in Bangladesh - BUET - was established as a result of the strategic alliance between Cisco and UNDP/APDIP.

In the coming year, Cisco will also partner with other international development agencies such as Job Opportunities and Business Support (JOBS), a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded project implemented by the IRIS Center at the University of Maryland to set up more Networking Academies across Bangladesh. Currently in it's sixth year of operation, the JOBS Project is a leading donor project which has been instrumental in developing the ICT related sector of Bangladesh, including human resources. Together with the Cisco Networking Academy Program Career Connection, a web site bringing both Academy students and potential employers together, Bangladesh students who have completed the Academy program will now have wider opportunities for jobs in the growing IT industry in the country.

The Cisco Networking Academy Program focuses on teaching students how to design, build, and maintain computer networks. The program prepares students for the 21st Century workplace, while serving as a valuable model for eLearning. World over, Cisco has over 10,100 Networking Academies and more than 2,90,000 students.

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.

# # #

Catalyst, Cisco, Cisco Systems and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.