Cisco announces first student industry training program in Sri Lanka

Cisco on Thursday announced the launch of the first Cisco Student Industry Training Program [CITP] in Sri Lanka. The six-month program, scheduled to commence in March, is aimed at providing Cisco Networking Academy students a unique opportunity in industry attachment to fuel ICT adoption and drive economic growth.

This significant industry- academia collaboration will witness some of the leading names in Sri Lanka’s corporate sector join forces with select high-performing Cisco Networking Academies.

The CITP will provide deserving students a chance to acquire hands-on professional exposure and experience while presenting an opportunity to the participating companies to engage the best networking talent in the country.  

The six-month initiative will culminate in a business plan competition, that is expected to generate a showcase of innovation and help the companies directly implement more exciting ideas and solutions.

Cisco Networking Academy will create a comprehensive digital collaborative technology framework to help the students and the companies’ network. This framework, through a variety of technological and social media tools, will promote communication and enrich user experience throughout the program by enabling them to post updates and share information virtually and in real time.

Commenting on the announcement, Cisco Systems India and South Asia Regional Head, Social Innovation Group Bina Raj-Debursaid, “Sri Lanka’s thrust on the ICT sector makes it an important region to pioneer efforts that support ICT adoption in the country, a goal close to the heart of Cisco Networking Academy. The student industry training program is one more step toward demonstrating our commitment to human capital development and community empowerment, in Sri Lanka as well as the greater SAARC region.”  

VS Information Systems (Pvt) Ltd Director Kithsiri Gunasekara said, “Given the Government of Sri Lanka’s focus on ICT, it’s important that we are ready to face the challenges arising out of the emergence of a networked global economy. Today, businesses run on IT and it’s important that we address the large skills gap in the country. Cisco’s Networking Academy has been a pioneer in skills development in the country and with this initiative they have paved the way for real and practical exposure for the students.”

Sumathi Information Technologies (Pvt) Ltd CEO Sanjeeva Perera added, “In a connected and information-led economy, it is important for the right talent to be available for the right job. Initiatives like these ensure greater academia – industry partnerships. While it helps the students’ with better career prospects it also helps industry get the right talent. We welcome these young and bright students and are confident that this association will be mutually beneficial.”

Lanka Bell Ltd Managing Director Prasad Samarasinghe, “In today’s competitive landscape, it is imperative for industry and academia to collaborate and develop the right talent pool. Cisco Networking Academy has had a positive impact in developing the much required IT skills in the country and we are delighted to be part of the Cisco Student Industry Training Program. This initiative will go a long way in helping eligible students hone their skills and shape their careers.”

Faiq Faiz, Executive Vice President, MillenniumIT: “I firmly believe that practical training and real world exposure is one of the best gifts a student can receive. I am glad that the industry and academia have come together to offer top performing students from the Cisco Networking Academy an opportunity for internship with industry leaders through its Student Industry Training Program. MillenniumIT is very happy to be a part of this initiative and we wish the students all the best.”

In partnership with educational institutions, government administrations and community based organizations around the world, the Networking Academy delivers ICT education through effective in-classroom learning combined with innovative cloud-based curricula and tools to prepare students for careers in the 21st-century global economy.

The Networking Academy began in 1997 with 64 schools and has grown to become one of the “world’s largest classrooms” with 10,000 academies in 165 countries, and nearly 4 million students having participated in the program to date. . The Networking Academy is Cisco’s flagship social investment program across the globe.In Asia Pacific, there are more than 1,370 Networking Academies operating in 27 countries that have instructed more than 922,000 students. Networking Academy courses are delivered in multiple languages through a pioneering cloud-based learning system that teaches students how to design, build, troubleshoot, and secure computer networks for increased access to career and economic opportunities in communities around the world.