Tare as soon as labored as a plumber in South Africa’s Western Cape and noticed restricted alternatives for financial development. After an opportunity assembly with a senior chief on the not-for-profit Digital Expertise Africa, he acquired a second-hand laptop computer and commenced learning cybersecurity via Cisco Networking Academy. Displaying distinctive perseverance, Tare’s research ultimately led him to turn out to be a certified teacher in cybersecurity, Cisco networking, DevNet, and extra—reworking his life and galvanizing others.
On this Worldwide Day of Studying, we have fun the transformative energy of schooling. At Cisco, we consider that studying is the bridge to alternative. For almost three a long time, the Cisco Networking Academy has been the architect of that bridge for tens of millions of people worldwide.
No discipline adjustments quicker than expertise. If we want to proceed to offer life-changing alternatives, we too should change. Along with core networking and cybersecurity abilities, our Cisco Networking Academy studying portfolio now consists of programs in in-demand areas akin to enterprise communications, knowledge science, Python, and AI.
It’s additionally why, simply over a yr in the past, we introduced Cisco Networking Academy, Cisco U., and Studying & Certifications collectively into one crew referred to as Study with Cisco. That’s allowed us so as to add much more superior materials into Cisco Networking Academy programs and create stronger ties all through the Cisco group. Over time, it should assist us proceed to strengthen the powerhouse that’s Cisco Networking Academy.
As we glance again on fiscal yr 2026, I’m extremely proud to share that Cisco Networking Academy has reached 28 million college students. That is greater than only a statistic; it represents 28 million lives united by a singular, highly effective ambition: the dream of fixing their circumstances and succeeding in a digital world.
A legacy of innovation
In 1997, Cisco acknowledged a world want for certified IT professionals. And we noticed a world starvation for the talents that will allow tens of millions to acquire and thrive in family- and community-supporting jobs within the IT business.
Cisco Networking Academy began small, with 64 academic establishments throughout seven U.S. states. Since then, this system has advanced as expertise has modified and as college students have demanded extra accessible methods to study—whether or not which means profession changers, college students, or just those that refused to be left behind.
Within the final two years, Cisco—and the expertise business as an entire—have embraced what could also be our greatest problem but: synthetic intelligence.
AI is not a distinct segment specialization; it’s a foundational ability for the longer term. We now deal with AI literacy simply as we did networking and cybersecurity: as a baseline competency. Understanding AI ideas, instruments, and accountable use is now as important as understanding tips on how to code or safe a community.
Cisco Networking Academy now provides programs akin to Introduction to Trendy AI, in addition to a whole collection to assist college students and professionals use AI of their each day lives. College students can proceed this studying development via studying paths akin to these supporting the Cisco AI Enterprise Practitioner (AIBIZ) badge and the Cisco AI Technical Practitioner (AITECH) certification.
Our dedication to inclusivity
Cisco Networking Academy is distinguished by its inclusivity. This system is free, hands-on, and requires no conditions for foundational programs. These programs present a gateway to deeper studying, enabling college students to advance to intermediate and professional ranges and earn extremely revered business certifications.
This dedication to impression is powerfully illustrated within the world NetAcad video testimonial we’re launching in the present day. Along with Tare’s story, we spotlight that of Maurizio, an teacher who has devoted 20 years to the Cisco Networking Academy program, main one in all Italy’s high Academy Help Facilities and serving as a world ambassador amongst instructors.
As we have fun the Worldwide Day of Studying, we invite you to affix this world group. Whether or not you might be ranging from scratch or trying to lead within the age of AI, the door is open. Collectively, we’re doing greater than instructing expertise; we’re powering the desires of tens of millions.
Comfortable Worldwide Day of Studying!
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