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Cisco partners with the Saudi Federation to enhance digital skills in KSA
Cisco has announced a strategic partnership with the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity , Programming and Drones ( SAFCSP ), to develop the digital skills of 8,000 trainers in the fields of cybersecurity and programming via the Cisco Networking Academy ( NetAcad ).
In Saudi Arabia , the Cisco NetAcad programme has one of the highest female student participation rates globally , reaching 32 % – a number which Cisco is keen to continue growing . Of the 8,000 participants being trained via Cisco and SAFCSP ’ s new initiative , through a combination of online and on-site courses , the duo will be training and upskilling more than 1,000 women .
As part of the skills building agenda , Cisco will develop the competencies of SAFCSP ’ s trainers , looking to gain further expertise in digitisation and cybersecurity essentials , including Cisco DevNet and Python qualifications . In addition , SAFCSP trainers will also meet with experts from Cisco via coaching sessions in cybersecurity .
Salman Abdulghani Faqeeh , Managing Director , Saudi Arabia , Cisco
Building on a memorandum of understanding ( MoU ) signed in 2018 to develop cybersecurity and programming skills , the collaborative partnership will see Cisco and SAFCSP leverage their industryrenowned upskilling initiatives to enhance the digital capabilities of Tuwaiq Academy , Saudi Arabia ’ s first advanced technology academy and CyberHub , a platform for Saudi-based students interested in gaining cybersecurity competencies .
Both Tuwaiq Academy and CyberHub were founded by SAFCSP under the umbrella of the Saudi Olympic Committee , which strives to build local professional capabilities in Digital Transformation – specifically in the fields of cybersecurity and programming . The programme is founded on the pillars of inspiration , empowerment and sustainability , and aims to achieve the goal of having one programmer among every 100 Saudi nationals by 2030 .
Salman Abdulghani Faqeeh , Managing Director , Saudi Arabia , Cisco , said : “ With a tech-savvy population and the national agenda putting investments in infrastructure and talent development at the forefront , Saudi Arabia is ensuring that Digital Transformation and upskilling remains a vital contributor towards the growth and success of several industries . Cisco continues to be a key enabler of Digital Transformation in the Kingdom and through our partnership with SAFCSP , we will further contribute towards the agenda of futureproofing job roles and aiding the transition towards a more digitally-focused economy .”
Since openings its doors to the world in 1997 , the Cisco Networking Academy ( NetAcad ) has served as a platform to train , upskill and develop human capital – aiding the transition towards more digitallyfocused economies . In Saudi Arabia , the programme was first introduced in 2000 and to date , it has trained over 140,000 students . Today , there are 106 active networking academies in the Kingdom and over 450 academic instructors . p
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