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 Expertise Africa, he acquired a second-hand laptop computer and commenced finding out cybersecurity via Cisco Networking Academy. Displaying distinctive perseverance, Tare’s research ultimately led him to turn into a certified teacher in cybersecurity, Cisco networking, DevNet, and extra—reworking his life and provoking others.
On this Worldwide Day of Studying, we have a good time the transformative energy of training. At Cisco, we imagine that studying is the bridge to alternative. For almost three a long time, the Cisco Networking Academy has been the architect of that bridge for thousands and thousands of people worldwide.
No discipline adjustments sooner than know-how. If we want to proceed to supply life-changing alternatives, we too should change. Along with core networking and cybersecurity expertise, our Cisco Networking Academy studying portfolio now contains programs in in-demand areas similar to enterprise communications, information science, Pythonand AI.
It’s additionally why, simply over a 12 months in the past, we introduced Cisco Networking Academy, Cisco U., and Studying & Certifications collectively into one group known 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 would assist us proceed to strengthen the powerhouse that’s Cisco Networking Academy.
As we glance again on fiscal 12 months 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 worldwide want for certified IT professionals. And we noticed a worldwide starvation for the talents that might allow thousands and thousands to acquire and thrive in family- and community-supporting jobs within the IT business.
Cisco Networking Academy began small, with 64 instructional 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 meaning profession changers, college students, or just those that refused to be left behind.
Within the final two years, Cisco—and the know-how business as a complete—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 code or safe a community.
Cisco Networking Academy now affords programs similar to Introduction to Fashionable AIin addition to a whole sequence to assist college students and professionals use AI of their every day lives. College students can proceed this studying development via studying paths similar to 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 stipulations for foundational programs. These programs present a gateway to deeper studying, enabling college students to advance to intermediate and knowledgeable ranges and earn extremely revered business certifications.
This dedication to affect is powerfully illustrated within the international NetAcad video testimonial we’re launching in the present day. Along with Tare’s story, we spotlight that of Maurizio, an teacher who has devoted 20 years to the Cisco Networking Academy program, main one in every of Italy’s high Academy Help Facilities and serving as a worldwide ambassador amongst instructors.
As we have a good time the Worldwide Day of Studying, we invite you to affix this international 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 instructing know-how; we’re powering the desires of thousands and thousands.
Blissful Worldwide Day of Studying!
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