Cisco for faster roll-out of networking academies in India By Frederick Noronha
A networked world would be a far happier place for the student. So believes global networking giant Cisco Systems, as it pushes on with the ambitious roll out its 'networking academies' which it hopes could make a big difference to IT education in an 'Internet age'. But, in India, bureaucratic delays are affecting the plan, says Cisco International Partnership Programme Manager for Worldwide Education Elli Takagaki. The pace of setting up these crucial training centres could be speeded up, she suggested while speaking to this correspondent. Ms Takagaki noted that Cisco CEO John Chamber had offered to establish academies in some 34 states and union territories across in India, during his visit to the country in January 2000. "We reached about the half-way stage. But we're still in Phase I. We plan to work with universities (and local training centres too). Even NGOs (non-governmental and volunteer organisations) can set up centres if they have a 56 kbps dedicated line to the Internet and 20 computers," she said. Cisco, a giant in the global computer networking industry, says its programme -- a "highly successful" alliance between the corporation, education, business, government and community -- offers a "practical solution" to promoting greater IT literacy and advanced skills. The 'networking academy' teaching students to design, build and maintain computer networks. The academy curriculum covers "a broad range of topics, from basic networking skills such as pulling cable to more complex concepts such as applying advanced troubleshooting tools. "It is a highly successful alliance between Cisco Systems, education, business, government and community organisations around the world. It offers a practical solution to address the need for greater IT literacy and advanced skills," adds Cisco. Over the past year, Cisco says it has already implemented the programme across 66 institutions in 14 states in India. This includes, says Cisco Education Project Manager for the SAARC region Lokesh Mehra, "even remote locations like Andaman and Nicobar (Port Blair) and Himachal Pradesh (Hamirpur)". Delhi-based Mehra, who looks after the SAARC region, says that academies have also been started in Bhutan (1), Bangladesh (1) , Nepal (5) and Sri Lanka (1). This resource-poor, talent-rich centre of computing skills hopes to see some 100 academies by the end of August 2002, Mehra told this correspondent. For administrative purposes of the Cisco network academy project, Pakistan comes under Europe and Middle East region and not under Asia Pacific. "It comes under my counterpart based in Dubai. We have 22 academies there, comprising three regional and 19 local academies," says Mr Mehra. He informed that the UNDP, particularly its Asia Pacific Development Information Programme (APDIP) lead in Asia by a South Asian, Shahid Akhtar, "has been working with Cisco to ensure that other LDC countries in SAARC (Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka) benefit from the implementation of the Cisco Networking Academy Program". This program is being expanded, and UN Volunteers are being provided in some areas, to support the same. Besides this Cisco says it is also focussing specially on "gender-focussed academies" so that girl students too can avail the benefit of networking education, which is otherwise considered to be mainly a male dominated area. Some of Cisco's exclusive women academies include Banasthali Vidyapeeth (Rajasthan), SNDT (Mumbai), and PMC Tech (Tamil Nadu). In Karnataka, the Bangalore-based IIIT(B) is the Regional Academy under the aegis of Dr.Sadagopan. Local Cisco Academies have been set up or are build put in place out of engineering colleges such as BVB Hubli, KVGCE Sulia, MP Birla Institute (Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan) of Bangalore, M.S.Ramaiah Institute (Bangalore), Sir MVIT (Bangalore), NIE of Mysore and the Vijaynagar Engineering College. "Another four to five colleges will be added soon (in Karnataka)," informed Mehra. "Yes, there are loads of bureaucratic hassles (in setting up these centres in India). Inspite of Cisco providing the curriculum and administrative tools free of cost, the respective state governments feel that there is some hidden agenda that Cisco has," Mehra said. "It seems quite odd that 136 countries world wide have seen value in this non-profit program but Indian bureaucracy loves to create hurdles in such ventures," he added. Citing one example, he said, in the small western coastal state of Goa, despite repeated talk about promoting the IT industry, the state government at Panaji has been "working at a snail's pace". Said Mehra: "The Goa University wants Cisco to donate even the equipment free of cost though one does provide that at a 50% subsidized cost." Globally, some 136 countries are participating in this project, with 8615 networking academies set up catering for some 246,000 students. There are some 26,350 instructors and over 35,000 online tests taken in one day. In the Asia-Pacific region alone, after a roll-out in 1999, some 800 academies have been set up with 33,000 students enrolled in 24 participating countries. India alone has 66 academies out of 75 in the SAARC region, launched since just 2000. IDC estimates that by the year 2003, there will be a "global shortage" of some 1.4 million networking professionals worldwide, the current IT slowdown notwithstanding. Cisco's belief is that the Internet and education are the "great equalizers" in life, eliminating barriers of time, distance and socio-economic status. Using e-learning, the Cisco academies combine web-based, instructor-lead learning with hands-on labs. "Frequent online testing allows for assessing student comprehension and determination of program refinements," says Cisco. This program promises to "prepares students and workers for Internet-based economy" by providing students with internships, mentor programs and on-the-job training with local Cisco partners and customers. Students will be taught to build, design, operate and maintain computer networks through a "vendor neutral" 280 hour-programme, after which they could sit for the Cisco Certified Network Administrator (CCNA) exam. This programme is based on e-learning "on a scale that local education systems can easily manage". It includes hands-on learning and skill-set development. Academy administrators and instructors are given access to 24 x 7 "high quality" technical support. Students get a two-semester internship. Different 'learning styles' are used -- using multi media, including text, audio, extensive graphics and movies. "Countries around the globe now have the chance to accelerate the development process by embracing information technology," says Cisco. Networking academy links: Information on networking academies in Asia Pacific http://www.cisco.com/asiapac/academy Information on the global networking academy programme: http://www.cisco.com/edu/academy Academy locator http://cisco.netacad.net/cnacs/pub-doc/locator.shtml Email inquiries [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cisco Education Project Manager for the SAARC region Lokesh Mehra [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------ ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, an NGO that is a GKP member*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. 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