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 | Gender-Focused Cisco Networking Academy Established in the Department of Gender Studies at Makerere University in Uganda |  | |
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Kampala, Uganda - On October 31, 2002 Cisco Systems, Inc., and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) participated in the launch of a Cisco Networking Academy in the Department of Gender and Women's Studies at Makerere University. Established to increase women's equality and participation within the information and communication technology (ICT) sector, this program has resulted from a strong partnership between the government, academia, international organizations and the private sector, internationally and within Uganda. The launch of this new academy at Makerere University marks the first time that a gender-focused Cisco Networking Academy has been established within a department of gender studies. In Uganda, the launch of the Cisco Networking Academy program at the Department of Women's and Gender Studies at Makerere University is an expansion of an existing partnership effort in the country. This one site is part of a much larger effort by Cisco Systems, Inc., to expand the reach of the Cisco Networking Academy Program to the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) of the world.
In July 2000, Cisco Systems formed a strategic partnership with international development organizations to help train students in the world's Least Developed Countries for jobs in the Internet economy. This partnership has created opportunities for skills development in participating countries, empowering them to accelerate progress, attain sustainable development, and fully integrate into the world economy. Working as partners, Cisco Systems, United Nations Development Program, United States Agency for International Development's Leland Initiative, EDDI, and United Nations Volunteers are investing in education and technology training for LDCs.
The LDC Initiative provides a compelling example of how business, international organizations/donors and governments can work together to meet the needs of LDCs and promote digital opportunity. Cisco relies on the expertise and local relationships of its partners to guide and facilitate the implementation of the Networking Academy program in LDCs.
In Uganda, Cisco has been very involved with its partners in efforts toward building a stronger ICT sector. Cisco and USAID took a large step forward in accomplishing this goal with the establishment of the first Regional Academy in Ugandathe Uganda Communications Institute. In addition, UNDP is very active in Uganda by assisting the Academy at Makerere University, Computer Science Department, with equipment and logistical support. These Ugandan academies have played a very strong role in the primary years of the program by laying the groundwork for IT skills training to accelerate nationwide. ITU's recent support of the gender-focused Academy at Makerere University has further strengthened the Cisco Networking Academy Program in Uganda. Thus far, the Cisco Networking Academies in Uganda have successfully graduated 43 students and have 211 students currently enrolled. Their efforts have placed Uganda in second place among 30 African nations involved in the LDC Initiative, demonstrating the success of the different partnerships.
The Makerere University Academy launch marks a huge step forward in the often-marginalized women's participation in the ICT marketplace in Uganda, and demonstrates the commitment of all partners in expanding the ICT sector in that country. The vision of Makerere University is "to be a centre of academic excellence, providing world-class teaching, research and service relevant to sustainable development needs of society." Through their active participation in the Cisco Networking Academy program at the Institute of Computer Science and the launch of the Academy at the Department of Gender and Women's Studies, they are continuing to meet their strategic goals.
To learn more about the Academy Launch at Makerere University, read Cisco Fellow Fred Baker's description about the event http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/hd_111202.html
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