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 Abilities Africa, he acquired a second-hand laptop computer and started learning cybersecurity by means of Cisco Networking Academy. Exhibiting distinctive perseverance, Tare’s research ultimately led him to change into a professional teacher in cybersecurity, Cisco networking, DevNet, and extra—reworking his life and galvanizing others.
On this Worldwide Day of Studying, we rejoice the transformative energy of training. At Cisco, we imagine that studying is the bridge to alternative. For practically three a long time, the Cisco Networking Academy has been the architect of that bridge for hundreds of thousands of people worldwide.
No subject adjustments quicker than know-how. 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 resembling enterprise communications, information 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 staff 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’s going to 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 hundreds of thousands to acquire and thrive in family- and community-supporting jobs within the IT trade.
Cisco Networking Academy began small, with 64 academic establishments throughout seven U.S. states. Since then, this system has advanced as know-how has modified and as college students have demanded extra accessible methods to be taught—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 know-how trade as an entire—have embraced what could also be our largest problem but: synthetic intelligence.
AI is now not a distinct segment specialization; it’s a foundational talent 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 figuring out find out how to code or safe a community.
Cisco Networking Academy now presents programs resembling Introduction to Trendy AI, in addition to a complete sequence to assist college students and professionals use AI of their each day lives. College students can proceed this studying development by means of studying paths resembling 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 trade certifications.
This dedication to impression is powerfully illustrated within the world NetAcad video testimonial we’re launching at the moment. Along with Tare’s story, we spotlight that of Maurizio, an teacher who has devoted 20 years to the Cisco Networking Academy program, main certainly one of Italy’s prime Academy Assist Facilities and serving as a world ambassador amongst instructors.
As we rejoice 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 educating know-how; we’re powering the desires of hundreds of thousands.
Comfortable Worldwide Day of Studying!
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