Jordanian Women Increase Influence in Information and Communication Technology Education and Training

Over one third Cisco Networking Academy Program students in Jordan are female
AMMAN, June 2008 - The role of women in the Middle East is changing, as is evidenced by enrollment in the Cisco Networking Academy program. Since January 2008, about 36% of the 1,200 newly enrolled students in Jordan are women. This brings the total number of participating students in Jordan to 6000 in the 34 Cisco Networking Academies across the Kingdom.

“We are excited to see such a significant increase of females in Jordan taking an interest in ICT as a career that provides them with the expertise to contribute as productive members of their communities,” said Nevine El Kadi, Middle East & Africa Networking Academy Program manager in Cisco. “By investing in local skills, the country is taking another step toward an even stronger economy that enhances its global competitiveness.”

“Cisco Networking Academy program is playing a very active role in bridging the digital gender gap in the Jordan. In fact, at present, almost a quarter of our 80 Cisco Certified Instructors in Jordan is female. These instructors are acting as role models for the female students and showing them how to succeed in what has always previously been perceived as a male-dominated industry,” added El Kadi.

Every Cisco Networking Academy Program student undergoes a comprehensive technology-based training curriculum that can provide them with skills which they can utilize in their future professional careers and contribute towards building a knowledge economy.

“Increasing the knowledge and skills of the local population plays a critical role in growing the talent pool available to Information Communication Technology (ICT) companies throughout Jordan,” added Ashraf Arafeh, Cisco general manager in Jordan. “It makes me proud to see Jordanian female students showing more interest in this exciting industry and playing an active role in shaping Jordan’s future digital economy.”

The Cisco Networking Academy Program helps to bridge the digital divide by equipping students with Internet Technology skills essential in a global economy. The comprehensive e-learning program integrates face-to-face teaching with a Web-based curriculum, online assessment tools, and hands-on laboratory exercises in this blended learning environment, and contributes to national competitiveness, paving the way for new e-learning initiatives.

Studies worldwide show a gap between the information technology (IT) jobs available and enough qualified candidates to fill them. The Cisco Networking Academy provides IT skills to students, globally, to improve their career and economic opportunities. By providing technical skills and enabling students to pursue higher education in engineering, computer science, and related fields, the Cisco Networking Academy can also help students develop their country and local economies.