At Cisco, we consider expertise exists all over the place—however alternative doesn’t. That’s why our Study with Cisco applications are designed to open doorways to digital expertise and certifications that may change lives and communities.
In partnership with NIL Studyingwe lately launched Challenge 525: an modern curriculum that helps IT and networking professionals put together for the celebrated Cisco Licensed Internetwork Skilled. With a deal with reaching learners in areas the place technical certifications might be cost-prohibitive and restricted, comparable to sub-Saharan Africa, Challenge 525 goals to assist bridge the digital divide.
Challenge 525 is a part of Cisco’s broader studying ecosystem, which affords structured, outcome-based studying paths and certifications. Whereas Challenge 525 is a flagship CCIE preparation program, Study with Cisco enhances it by offering intensive coaching in automation, safety, AI, and networking applied sciences, supporting professionals worldwide.
Bridging the digital divide
Cisco’s involvement in Challenge 525 displays its broader dedication to empowering expertise all over the world, together with in areas comparable to Sub-Saharan Africa the place the variety of CCIE-certified professionals has traditionally been low. Challenge 525 goals to considerably enhance expert-level engineers by making this system extra inexpensive and accessible throughout international locations comparable to South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya.
Martin Camp, Managing Director of NIL Knowledge SA, explains, “This system’s affordability and accessibility are key to its success on this area, the place bridging the digital and knowledge divide is vital.”
This regional focus helps Cisco’s Function to Powering an Inclusive Future for All by enabling native professionals to achieve world-class expertise and contribute to their communities’ digital transformation.
This method has enabled vital uptake and success throughout the area and addressing the infrastructure and financial challenges distinctive to those markets.
Pondering like an professional
On the planet of elite networking certifications, technical information is barely a part of the equation. True experience lies in the way you suppose. Challenge 525 facilities round this concept—coaching contributors not simply to memorize options, however to suppose like seasoned specialists. At its core, this system emphasizes psychological simulation and self-verification, empowering engineers to mentally stroll by advanced situations, anticipate outcomes, and confirm their reasoning earlier than even touching a keyboard.
As a result of the CCIE certification holds the repute as one of the vital difficult within the networking business, with demanding necessities and excessive failure charges, professionals who search this credential usually face steep studying curves that require advanced problem-solving.
The expert-level mindset that Challenge 525 helps is strengthened by a finely tuned curriculum, top-tier instruction, and a powerful peer group, all designed to bridge the hole between understanding and software. Individuals don’t simply examine networking; they be taught to unravel issues with readability, confidence, and precision as a CCIE.
This system requires a year-long dedication, immersing contributors in rigorous coursework, labs, and sensible workouts that deepen information and software expertise to make sure contributors perceive networking ideas and may apply them successfully in real-world situations.
Based on Camp, Challenge 525 “empowers Cisco Licensed Community Professionals (CCNPs) to advance to expert-level proficiency by a rigorous, hands-on curriculum tailor-made to the distinctive infrastructure and financial challenges of Sub-Saharan Africa.”
Cisco’s dedication to Challenge 525 extends internally as effectively, with plans to enroll 200 of its personal engineers from the Technical Help Middle (TAC) and Gross sales. This funding underscores Cisco’s confidence in this system, serving to to develop the subsequent era of CCIEs and fostering a tradition of problem-solving and innovation.
Testimonials of impression
NTT, a worldwide know-how and IT providers firm with a powerful presence in Africa, is considered one of Cisco’s largest channel companions within the APJC area. This system didn’t simply put together these college students for a certification—it remodeled the way in which they method challenges, collaborate with friends, and contribute to high-stakes tasks. Challenge 525 isn’t only a examine plan; it’s a shift in mindset—and it’s producing real-world success.
Based on Mark Jessiman, VP Know-how Options at NTT, “Accessing high quality lab tools and environments with the best assist actually gave our workers the sense of confidence that they had been going to make it by this system and likewise the assist to beat the challenges that they skilled alongside the way in which.”
This assist system is a cornerstone of this system’s methodology, because it continues to increase in sub-Saharan Africa. “The burning aspiration of holding that CCIE qualification is one thing that’s seen as an actual certification milestone, shared Kristy Phaal, SVP of Human Sources at NTT Knowledge. “In Africa, accessibility is basically the important thing.”
World enlargement
Challenge 525’s success in Sub-Saharan Africa has sparked international enlargement plans. This system is launching cohorts in Europe and getting ready for development within the Americas and Asia Pacific.
- European cohorts: Challenge 525 is getting ready to launch its first European cohort, extending this system’s attain and affect within the networking group.
- Accessibility in Africa: Efforts proceed to make this system inexpensive and accessible, empowering professionals throughout Sub-Saharan Africa with world-class coaching, addressing infrastructure and financial challenges distinctive to the area.
- US enlargement: With rising demand in the USA, Challenge 525 might quickly carry its intensive CCIE-focused curriculum to American professionals. To assist this development, strategic planning is underway for occasions, partnerships, and in-person classes.
Challenge 525 is greater than a certification pathway—it’s a strategic initiative that aligns with Cisco’s Function by bridging the digital divide, empowering professionals in underserved areas, and cultivating expert-level considering that drives real-world impression.
