CISCO Networking Academy

In 2000 Training Center of OSI-AF has joined the Cisco Networking Academies Program (CNAP) - worldwide educational program conducted by Cisco Systems Corporation - by obtaining the status of Cisco Local Academy. The Cisco Networking Academy Program exists in more than 9800 Academies located in high schools, technical schools, colleges, universities, international organizations and community-based organizations around the world. These organizations contribute their expertise in teaching and their facilities to deliver the high-quality Academy curriculum to their constituents.
Created by industry and education professionals, the curriculum prepares students for the demands of the workplace and motivates them to continue their education and learning. Delivered globally in multiple languages, the Academy program uses assessment data to adapt and improve lessons, labs, and teacher training. The program recognizes multiple learning styles of students with Web-based, multimedia content; online assessment and evaluation throughout the course; hands-on labs; and instructor training and support. Upon completion, students have the opportunity to take a certification exam.

It must be noted that Local Cisco Academy of OSI-AF currently delivers not only CCNA preparation. Started from 1 June 2003 we also deliver other famous curriculums from Academy Program:

• CCNA
• UNIX Fundamentals
• IT Essentials I - PC Hardware and Software
• IT Essentials II - Network Operating Systems

The trainings are free of charge and are in high demand. Target groups are focused but not limited to representatives of IT departments of government and other organizations involved in IT sector development in Azerbaijan, such as Ministry of Communication, Ministry of Education, Academy of Science, State Universities and several IT-oriented projects initiated by OSI and other donors.

Interest in CCNA training, as well as in CNAP program in general, is constantly growing not only in Baku but also in the regions. There are many other training centers in the country but unfortunately none of them are able to deliver qualified and deeply considered curriculum. The main problems of IT-training sector of Azerbaijan are the following:

• Low level of the educational program;
• Lack of qualified trainers;
• Most trainings are not certified or the diploma/certificate is not legal and therefore are not accepted or considered by employers;
• Trainings are expensive and not affordable.

At the moment AzNET ICT Training Center (former OSI-AF's Training Center) employs 6 certified instructors who were specially trained to deliver Cisco Curriculums to the students. But there is clear understanding of the need to increase the number of instructors and widen and distribute Academy classes through Baku and the regions. One of the ways to do this is to develop CNAP Program and bring it to the regional basis, where Cisco Academy Training Centers (CATCs) train Regional Academies and the Regional Academies train the Local Academy Instructors who then educate students.