DIFC and Cisco Networking Academy Collaborate to Launch Talent Development Programme and Drive Inclusive Education

Dubai, UAE, 15 May, 2024: DIFC Academy, the education platform of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial hub in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, today announced a collaboration with Cisco to facilitate access for DIFC employees and the wider community to the Cisco Networking Academy – one of the longest running skills-to-jobs programmes worldwide. 

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DIFC Academy and Cisco, a global leader in IT and networking, paves the way for a comprehensive talent development programme aimed at building a digitally skilled workforce in the UAE. For the first time in the region, DIFC community will have access to unmatched opportunities for professional development and upskilling in areas that are fundamental in the digital economy, including cybersecurity, programming, data science, networking and AI.  Cisco Networking Academy’s blended teaching approach allows for tailored learning experiences that are inclusive, accessible and meet the specific needs of the DIFC community.

Alya Al Zarouni, Chief Operating Officer at DIFC Authority, said: “Mastering networking, cybersecurity, IoT, cloud tech, programming, and automation is crucial in finance. Our collaboration with Cisco’s Networking Academy provides professionals with a diverse skill set, enhancing their ability to navigate the ever-evolving tech landscape in financial services. By incorporating Cisco Networking Academy courses, DIFC reinforces its position as a global financial hub, fostering career advancement and bolstering Dubai's reputation as a premier business destination.”

DIFC Academy has fulfilled the learning needs of the financial services industry by providing an accessible platform for top-ranked educational institutes, to deliver professional development certifications and higher education courses for a total number of 32,000 graduates since inception. 

Abdelilah Nejjari, Managing Director for the Gulf region at Cisco, said: "Cisco Networking Academy is a powerful force for change. We are pleased to collaborate with DIFC Academy to offer high-quality training across multiple technology domains that will place learners at the forefront of innovation, while equipping them with in-demand skills. By combining our expertise with DIFC Academy’s commitment to talent development, we can effectively drive digital transformation and help meet the UAE's vision for a digitised future."

For the past 26 years, Cisco Networking Academy has been equipping individuals around the world with the knowledge and skills required to participate in the digital economy. Since the inception of the Cisco Networking Academy in the UAE, Cisco has trained more than 105,000 learners, with a strong female participation rate of 49 per cent. In the 2022–2023 academic year alone, more than 12,000 students were trained across 38 academies in the country.

For more information please visit: https://academy.difc.ae/school-of-future-skills/cisco-networking-academy