CISCO NETWORKING ACADEMY ALLIANCE



UNRWA Cisco Networking Academy Alliance

Developing a Sustainable Cisco Networking Academy Program at UNRWA Technical and Vocational Education System

By

Ayman Mansour Murad

Head Education Information Technology Unit

Education Department - UNRWA Headquarters (Amman)

Abstract

In order to build the capacity of Palestinian refugee’s youth, women and civil servants in the field of ICT, UNRWA in partnership with Cisco Systems established the first generation of Cisco Networking Academies (CNA) in Dec 2001 in Jordan, Syria, Gaza, West Bank and Lebanon.

This partnership was established as part of the Least Developed Countries (LDC) Initiative - a joint initiative by Cisco Systems, UNDP, USAID, UNV, and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to bridge the digital divide in the world’s Least Developed Countries.

Since the first day, UNRWA managed to incorporate CNA courses in the study plans of ICT specializations offered at UNRWA vocational training centers. This pioneer step was taken to offset the cost of implementation and ensure the sustainability of the project. The upgrade of UNRWA Wadi Seer Training Center to Regional Academy status in Dec 2001 was a key milestone in the sustainability of UNRWA Cisco program.

Due to the program’s success and to strengthen the existing Networking Academies in the areas of sustainability, workforce development and gender UNRWA expanded the partnership in 2008 by introducing new curricula (IT essential, Wireless LAN and Network Security). Cisco has provided in-kind contribution for program and training support, curriculum updates and equipment.

UNRWA Cisco Programme received the 2009 Cisco Against all odds award for the following achievements:

1. Teaching under severe conditions

2. Ensuring quality teaching

3. Following up on students till they graduate

4. Availing the latest courses for students

Since inception, around 3000 of Palestinians youth, with 35% of women participation, were graduated from the programme and they are working at various private and public sector job positions within UNRWA’s countries of operations and the Arabian Gulf.

Keywords

TVET, Sustainability, ICT, Human Development, employability

Background

This paper aims at sharing a success story of true partnership between a United Nations Agency namely United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refuges in the Near East (UNRWA) and Cisco systems to help Palestine youth refugees in persuading high level ICT training and certification

About UNRWA

Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, UNRWA [i] was established by United Nations General Assembly resolution 302 (IV) of 8 December 1949 to carry out direct relief and works programmes for Palestine refugees. The Agency began operations on 1 May 1950. In the absence of a solution to the Palestine refugee problem, the General Assembly has repeatedly renewed UNRWA's mandate, most recently extending it until 30 June 2011.

Since its establishment, UNRWA has delivered its services in times of relative calm in the Middle East, and in times of hostilities. It has fed, housed and clothed tens of thousands of fleeing refugees and at the same time educated and given health care to hundreds of thousands of young refugees.

UNRWA is unique in terms of its long-standing commitment to one group of refugees and its contributions to the welfare and human development of four generations of Palestine refugees. Originally envisaged as a temporary organization, the Agency has gradually adjusted its programmes to meet the changing needs of the refugees. Today, UNRWA is the main provider of basic services - education, health, relief and social services - to over 4.6 million registered Palestine refugees in the Middle East

About Cisco Networking Academy

Cisco Networking Academy[ii] is a global education program that teaches students how to design, build, troubleshoot, and secure computer networks for increased access to career and economic opportunities in communities around the world. Networking Academy provides online courses, interactive tools, and hands-on learning activities to help individuals prepare for ICT and networking careers in virtually every type of industry.

The Cisco Networking Academy Program includes significant hands-on learning and skill-set development and a direct route to industry-standard certification. The Cisco Networking Academy Program qualifies students to pursue a number of industry-standard certifications

Programme Evolution

Since 1997, Networking Academy has grown from a small-scale program designed to help schools get the most out of their networking equipment to Cisco’s largest corporate social responsibility program, with courses taught at more than 9000 academies in 165 countries. More than 800,000 students develop ICT skills through the program each year.

Networking Academy delivers a comprehensive, 21st century learning experience to help students develop the foundational ICT skills needed to design, build, and manage networks, along with career skills such as problem solving, collaboration, and critical thinking. Students complete hands-on learning activities and network simulations to develop practical skills that will help them fill a growing need for networking professionals around the world.

Global Partnerships

Networking Academy aims to provide a consistently enriching learning experience by partnering with public and private institutions such as schools, universities, businesses, nonprofits, and government organizations to develop and deliver innovative ICT courses, improve the effectiveness and accessibility of the program, increase access to education and career opportunities, and help ensure that students and instructors have the resources they need to accomplish their goals.

Delivery Method

Networking Academy courses are delivered in multiple languages through an online learning system. Courses are supported by classroom instruction, hands-on learning activities, and online assessments that provide personalized feedback. Networking Academy instructors receive extensive training and support to help ensure a consistently-enriching learning experience for students around the world.

Networking Academy partners with government agencies, businesses, nonprofits, and international NGOs to support students and alumni in their educational, entrepreneurial, and occupational endeavors. As Cisco’s largest corporate social responsibility program, Networking Academy aims to improve socioeconomic conditions in communities around the world by increasing access

UNRWA - Cisco Networking Academy Program

In order to build the capacity of Palestinian refugee’s youth, women and civil servants in the field of Information and Communication Technology, UNRWA in partnership with Cisco Systems established the first generation of Cisco Networking Academies in UNRWA in Dec 2001 with the launch of UNRWA Wadi Seer Training Center Cisco Regional Networking Academy. This partnership was established as part of the Least Developed Countries (LDC) [iii]Initiative - a joint initiative by Cisco Systems, UNDP, USAID, UNV, and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to bridge the digital divide in the world’s Least Developed Countries. The programme is managed by the UNRWA’s Education Information Technology Unit.

Due to the program’s success, UNRWA expanded the partnership in 2008 to introduce new curricula (IT essential, Wireless LAN and Security) and to strengthen the existing Networking Academies in the areas of sustainability, workforce development and gender. Cisco has provided in-kind contribution for program and training support, curriculum updates and equipment.

UNRWA managed to incorporate and integrate the Cisco Networking Academy courses in the study plans of IT specializations offered at UNRWA vocational training centers.

More than 200 refugee students develop ICT skills through UNRWA-Cisco program each year. Since 2001, there are a total of 3000 UNRWA-Cisco graduates, 35% of which are women. Most of them are working at various private sector and public sector job positions in UNRWA’s countries of operations.

Project Overview

This project prepares students for networking and IT-related careers in the public and private sectors and for higher education in engineering, computer science, and related fields.

Currently this project includes one Regional Academy at WSTC and 9 Local Academies hosted at UNRWA Vocational Training Centers. Cisco courses are offered through a three-tier training and support model. Cisco Academy Training Centers (CATCs) train Regional Academy Instructors, Regional Academies train Local Academy Instructors, and Local Academies educate students. A Cisco Academy Training Center is an institution that is responsible for supporting, monitoring and training of the Instructors at a Regional Academy.

The upgrade of UNRWA Wadi Seer Training Center to Regional Academy status in Dec 2001 was a key milestone in the sustainability of the UNRWA Cisco program. As a result of this, thousands of dollars were saved in support fees and instructor training fees.

Since joining Cisco Networking Academy in 2001, UNRWA has become a flagship agency in the this Initiative. From the program’s inception, the UNRWA Academies have graduated over 3000 students and have maintained a 35% female participation rate.

Conclusion

In 2009, the Cisco Academy program graduated 3000 students from eight Academies in Jordan. Syria, Lebanon, West Bank and Gaza. As a growing number of students and institutions see the benefits of the various IT training courses, demand will inevitably increase for the introduction of other training programs and certifications.

Areas of Impact since 2001:

1. From a pilot group of 100 students, now more than 3000 students were enrolled in the program. In the past 12 months, the total number of students across all Academies increased by 8%. Not only have these students gained valuable networking skills, but they have been exposed to the use of Internet and Networking as an information gathering tool, and are familiar with e-learning concepts.

2. Among these students, there is more than one third female participation, which by itself demonstrates the capacity and willingness to mainstream women in education and policy making.

3. Observers of the program have noticed an increase in the women’s confidence and comfort in using ICTs.

4. The program is now used in all UNRWA courtiers of operations

5. A relationship is built between UNRWA and other academies starting at the instructor training, but extending through their mutual involvement in the Academy Program. It is hoped that this will lead into a further strengthening of the relationship.

6. By introducing advanced courses, the programme has striven to include Palestine’s refugees in the global digital age. Through this initiative, a core of UNRWA network instructors has been identified and trained to sustain this programme and to help the Palestinians in building their networking and internet technology.

References

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