KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - September 30, 2003 - Malaysia's first batch of Cisco Networking Academy Program graduates were honoured here today as they join the global fraternity of networking professionals at Cisco Systems' Showcase 2003 conference. The cohort of 24 Cisco Networking Academy Program graduates from Malaysia France Institute (MFI) received their certificates at the graduation ceremony hosted by Cisco Systems® Malaysia at Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel.
Gordon Astles, Cisco's Asia Pacific President and Rosly Ahmad, Provost University Kuala Lumpur-Malaysia France Institute presented the certificates. Malaysia France Institute is the first educational institution in Malaysia to produce Cisco Networking Academy graduates. To date there are 53 universities, polytechnics and community colleges throughout Malaysia that is offering the Cisco Networking Academy Program. Cisco continues to work with the Ministry of Education to extend the Program to other institutions of higher learning.
The 24 Cisco Networking Academy Program graduates are equipped to design, build and maintain computer networks, and gain a direct route to industry-standard certifications, including the Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) and Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP). These certifications are the first step in Cisco career certifications and lead to the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE), the industry's most respected qualification for network professionals.
The Cisco Networking Academy Program produces knowledge workers who will be proficient in vendor-neutral communications, networking and Internet technologies.
"The graduates today are part of the future generation of knowledge workers that will contribute to Malaysia's ability to compete in the 21st Century. The skills these graduates acquire through the Program complements government initiatives, including the recent RM319 million (US$84 million) Budget 2004 allocation to high tech training," said Astles at the graduation ceremony.
The original aim of the Cisco Networking Academy Program was to address the shortage of skilled networking professionals in the industry and as a tool to bridge the digital divide for less developed countries. Available in 152 countries, the Program contributes to national development goals, spearheading Cisco's commitment to the education and training of future generations of knowledge workers. Cisco has dedicated a tremendous amount of effort and resources towards the program because it believes that computer networking skills are a key differentiator in the Internet Economy.
Themed, "The Power to Transform Business. Now.", Showcase 2003 presented industry professionals with the latest developments and innovations in the world of networking including IP Telephony, Security, Wireless LAN, Storage Networking and Content Networking.
Over 1,000 delegates attended the conference which also featured best-in-class solutions and services from global and local tech industry leaders such as CSA, Datacraft, ECS Pericomp, EMC, Fujitsu, GC, Global Knowledge, HP, Hitachi, IBM, Ingram Micro, Intel, Jaring, Jebsen & Jessen, Linksys, Mesiniaga, Microsoft, Panduit, Solsis, Telekom Malaysia and VADS.
For more information on SHOWCASE 2003, please visit: www.cisco.com/asiapac/showcase/my
