Cisco signs education MoU with Uttaranchal government

NEW DELHI: Cisco Systems, Inc., a company dealing in networking for the Internet, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the State Government of Uttaranchal, to setup Networking Academies in the newly created state. As per the MoU, Cisco in partnership with the Government of Uttaranchal, will setup a Regional Academy (RA) and five Local Academies (LAs) in the State.

College of Engineering, Pantnagar would be designated as a Regional Networking Academy and would receive networking equipment, comprehensive training, the Networking Academy curriculum, and technical support from Cisco Systems. The Regional Academy would in turn align with it and setup five Local Networking Academies in Almora and Nainital Campuses of Kumaon University, Engineering College Dwarahat, Srinagar Campus of Garhwal University and College Of Engineering, Pauri.

The State Government would fund the local Networking Academies. To help maintain the highest quality of training and education at these institutions and other Networking Academies around India, Cisco would implement the Cisco Networking Academy Quality Assurance Plan.

"Uttaranchal houses some of India's finest educational institutions. With this MoU the Government proposes to further strengthen the State's professional educational offerings to its citizens and to make the education provided at its institution more market oriented, thereby increasing the employability of the students," said Amarendra Sinha, Secretary IT and Planning. He added, "With the advent of the Cisco Networking Academy Program, the students of Uttaranchal will have yet another avenue for technical and professional excellence".

"This MoU gets us another step closer to fulfilling John Chambers, President and CEO, Cisco Systems' commitment of establishing a Networking Academy in every state and union territory in India. Cisco is proud to partner with the State Government of Uttaranchal in launching an initiative that will not only bring to the state world-class networking education but also help the local Internet and networking Industry attain the same standards as those achieved internationally," said Rajeev Chopra, Vice President Marketing, Cisco Systems, India and SAARC.

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 e-learning. Worldwide Cisco has 9,144 Networking Academies and more than 2,62,000 students. There are currently 67 Networking Academies across 14 States in India.