Cisco Networking Academy Extends Partnership with Universidad de Guadalajara

Cisco Systems Inc and the Universidad of Guadalajara (UdG) renewed their partnership under the Cisco Networking Academy Program as well as announced an expansion of the program within the UdG schools.

The partnership, which started 10 years ago between Cisco and the UdG, will grow from 4 to 13 self-sustaining academies in ten university centers and three technical high schools from the UdG. It is expected to benefit at least 3,600 students during the first three years.

This program will offer students skills to access career opportunities in the rapidly growing ITC market by offering valuable foundational technical training. The participants of the Academy will develop essential skills in critical thinking, collaboration, and problem solving, to help preparing them to be competitive in an information-driven global economy.

The courses, IT Essentials and CCNA, are structured in a blended education model that includes hands-on activities, online modules, interactive tools, and online assessments that provide immediate feedback.

The agreement also includes the donation of equipment for the laboratories of the 13 academies to support hand-on activities for students and the Cisco Enabled Education Development CEED2000 platform to help in the teaching process for instructors.

The Cisco Networking Academy is an IT skills and career building program for learning institutions and individuals worldwide. More than 5.5 million people have joined the Networking Academy and become a force for change in the global economy since 1997.

According to an IDC study, the demand for networking skilled professionals currently outstrips supply, and this tendency will be prevalent throughout the following years in Latin America. In 2015, IDC estimated that Mexico will have a shortage of approximately 115,000 professionals with networking skills.

The Networking Academy identifies and develops the skills that people and businesses need to thrive in a changing economy. Courses are offered in 170 countries on six continents. About 180,000 students in more than 25 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are opting to gain ICT skills and to improve their career prospects. The program in Mexico is one of the largest worldwide, with 374 academies in the country and nearly 55,000 students.