Saudia inks deal to set up Cisco Networking Academy

Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Cisco to set up a Cisco Networking Academy at the new King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC).
Saudia is currently building an international IT park at King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh, northwest of Jeddah and the agreement with KAEC aims at making use of the huge facilities and opportunities provided by the giant economic city to establish a world-class IT center to support business activities.
The Cisco Networking Academy program teaches millions of students from every socioeconomic background the skills needed to design, build, manage, and secure computer networks, improving their career prospects while also filling the global demand for networking professionals.
This joint initiative between Saudia and Cisco will equip students who graduate from the program for vocational employment and will also help to quickly evolve the careers of young engineers within the Kingdom’s telecommunications and networking industry.
Khalid Abdullah Almolhem, director-general, of Saudia, said: “Saudi Arabia needs to continue strengthening its ability to create sustainable high-tech jobs, and Saudia is determined to do everything it can to support this process.”
Tarig Enaya, managing director, Cisco, Saudi Arabia, said: “We are honored and delighted to be collaborating with Saudia through this initiative. The next Internet experience will enable a profound level of collaboration that will change the way we think, the speed by which we invent, how we connect and share information.”
Key facts:
• In partnership with educational institutions, government administrations and community based organizations around the world, the Cisco Networking Academy delivers information and communications technology (ICT) education through effective in-classroom learning combined with innovative cloud-based curricula and tools to prepare students for careers in the 21st-century global economy.
• Various internationally recognized certification programs will be given to students who will be able to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-size route and switched networks, including implementation and verification of connections to remote sites.