Though the launch of the Academy is a great nive by the two, we believe this should have happened more than a decade ago when Cisco Systems was partnering with several universities in East Africa to launch similar academies. Nevertheless, it’s a great opportunity for students of the networking field. USIU-Africa already works with IBM, Microsoft, Linux, EC – Council to interlink student learning between the degree courses and practical skills. “This partnership reemphasizes our commitment to invest in offering of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics programs which will fundamentally improve Africa’s competitiveness in technology development, and in turn transform our society through new inventions, “Vice chancellor Prof Paul Zeleza said during launch. The Cisco Networking Academy has equipped more than 5.5 million students in 165 countries with networking skills so far. Cisco Corporate Affairs manager East, Central and Southern Africa, Hital Muraj said globally, the tremendous growth in information and communications technology makes it critically important that today’s employees are equipped for the future with the right skills to enable them to respond to the changing needs of our society.