Program Profile
In January 2000, Cisco Institute (CLI) partnered with Cisco Systems to establish gender-focused Cisco Networking Academies in India. CLI provided funds for a United Nations Volunteer (UNV), scholarships, and the development of a job placement cell at three Academies. To date, seven all-female Academies and one gender-focused co-ed Academy have been established at the following schools: Banasthali Vidyapith University in Rajasthan, Shaheed Rajguru Women’s College of Applied Sciences in Delhi, Periyar Maniammai College of Technology for Women (PMCTech) in Tamil Nadu, LBS Institute of Technology for Women in Kerala, Cummins College of Engineering for Women in Pune, and Government Women’s Polytechnic in Kandaghat, Solan, H.P. The Government Women’s Polytechnic in Bhopal and Saboo Engineering College in Mumbai are scheduled to begin classes soonest. Banasthali University already has 60 graduates and has established a job placement cell. Shaheed Rajguru Women’s College will graduate its first class of 48 students in March ’04 and has begun developing a job placement cell. Cisco donated lab bundles to three of the all-female schools. United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) funded instructor training at targeted Academies, and UNIFEM also funded the non-Cisco equipment at Shaheed Rajguru Women’s College.
After successful completion of the Networking Academy program curriculum, students are eligible to take the CCNA (Cisco Certified Networking Associate) certification exam. This is a globally recognized certification and immensely helps the students in their job search. CLI is providing funds to help offset the exam fee for female students. 
Students from Banasthali Vidyapith University in Rajasthan, the first all-female Academy established in India. In the words of Ms. Dipti Puja of Banasthali, who has completed all 4 semesters and is now undergoing her 6 month internship, “The Cisco Networking Program was too good. Terrific. All the important concepts were presented with great clarity. Overall, we enjoyed the course to the fullest. It was great fun as well as learning”
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