NAIROBI, Kenya, June 17, 2008 - Cisco today announced that Kenyatta University has established a Cisco® Networking Academy in East Africa, bringing the total number of educational establishments offering Cisco courses and certifications in Kenya to twenty-four.
Through this strategic collaboration with the Networking Academy, Kenyatta University has embarked on a rapid expansion strategy aimed at making it a world class university and also expanding the courses it offers. To this end, the university is investing in creating a productivity and education enhancing infrastructure and is currently laying a fibre optic infrastructure to network the entire campus, utilizing Cisco technology solutions.
Officiating at the launch ceremony held at Kenyatta University on Friday 6th June 2008, Kenya's permanent secretary for Higher Education, Professor Crispus Kiambaa, commented:
"Kenya is experiencing tremendous IT growth, particularly in Information, Communication Technology (ICT) and it is critically important that we equip our youth, the employees of the future, with the right skills to enable them to respond to the changing needs of our society. Cisco Networking Academy provides a long-term solution in the form of creating a highly skilled and well trained local work force. This is critical for accelerating and sustaining economic growth".
Kenyatta University, with campuses in Nairobi, Ruiri and Mombasa has over 24,000 students with between 600 to 700 students currently undertaking ICT related courses. Starting September 2008, the university will offer all Networking Academy courses to degree students starting from IT Essentials to Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP®) program. The rest of the courses offered under the continued learning program will start immediately.
The University will integrate the Networking Academy curriculum into its Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree programs, and also intends to offer a new degree in networking in the near future comprising all courses in the Networking Academy program. Furthermore, there are plans to train all of their students every year in IT Essentials, which will be a University Common Unit providing basic IT skills training.
"The launch of Cisco Networking Academy at Kenyatta University marks a major milestone for the program in Kenya. With nearly 5000 students already enrolled in the program throughout the country, we are currently experiencing a 38 percent year on year increase in the number of student enrolling," commented Hital Muraj, Cisco Networking Academy manager for East Africa.
Cisco Networking Academy recently marked its 10-year anniversary providing Information Technology skills to students globally to improve their career and economic opportunities. Networking Academies operate in high schools, colleges, universities, technical and military schools and community-based organizations.
"Creating the right talent to support growth is becoming a critical challenge for the government and organisations alike. With Kenyatta University joining the Cisco Networking Academy even more students in Kenya will have access to vital IT skills training thereby accelerating socio-economic growth that will help transform Kenya," said Shahab Meshki, general manager for Cisco East Africa.
For more details about Cisco Networking Academy, visit: http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/netacad/index.html
