Cisco Empowers Current and Next Generation of Global IoT Scientists, Engineers and Innovators

Malaysia and Barcelona leads the way as first partners of Cisco’s Global STEM Alliance

BARCELONA, SPAIN - INTERNET OF THINGS WORLD FORUM, Nov. 4, 2013 – Cisco recently announced a global commitment to educate and empower current and future generations of Internet of Things (IoT) entrepreneurs, scientists and innovators through its Global STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Alliance.

The Alliance, formed in partnership with the New York Academy of Sciences will feature Malaysia and Barcelona as the first alliance partners that will bring curriculum resources, intergenerational mentorship and access to cutting-edge science and technology research to students of institute of higher learning in both countries. Beyond this, the curriculum resources will soon be made available to students around the world.

Wim Elfrink, Executive Vice President, Industry Solutions and Chief Globalization Officer of Cisco Systems.

The Global STEM Alliance was formed in recognition of the need to empower and educate the next generation of the IoT workforce while also enhancing the skills of current members of the workforce. An enhanced focus STEM skills is increasingly relevant for graduates to transition into careers in the information technology industry. According to a recent study published by the World Bank, the information and communication technologies (ICT) sector is rapidly growing, with an addressable market of $800 billion globally.

Additionally, it is estimated that over the next 10 years there will be two million unfilled ICT-related jobs globally, correlating with a projected talent gap of 8.2 percent by 2022. To address this gap, education and training institutions will need to increase the number of technical graduates significantly - 222,000 more each year between 2014 and 2022. Recognizing this projection, Cisco is committed to meeting the critical demand for high-skill workers through strategic programs and collaborations for current and future generations.

Speaking during the announcement, Wim Elfrink, Executive Vice President, Industry Solutions and Chief Globalization Officer of Cisco Systems said, “The Internet of Things is a reality today and will only continue to create unprecedented opportunities. Empowering and preparing the next generation workforce to take part in this global opportunity is a critical piece of fueling IoT innovation.”

Prof. Tan Sri Sharifah Hapsah, vice chancellor, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), the first institute of higher learning to represent Malaysia at the Alliance added “Nothing is more fascinating than to watch students from schools, their teachers and young scientists engage energetically with the best scientific minds in learning how to be successful in the sciences.

The Nobelist Mindset programme that UKM developed with the New York Academy of Sciences helps them appreciate creativity, determination and ability to see connections between ideas as key elements in learning STEM. We are pleased to join the Alliance together with the New York Academy of Sciences and Cisco in sharing how we develop this learning community with the world."

The recent announcement reinforces Cisco's investment in education, revealing a new portfolio consisting of IoT curricula, assessments and an upcoming Cisco® Specialist Certification to advance skills development in industrial networking. In collaboration with major industry leaders, this education portfolio will help meet the growing need for specialized talent that can provide Internet Protocol (IP) networking expertise, with a focus in automation, manufacturing and energy,
and future expansion to include equally transformative industries. Through this certification program, Cisco and new industry partners will join forces to help to reskill a significant number of individuals in these areas.

Key Highlights:
• Learning@Cisco, along with its partners, will be delivering IoT education courses and certifications that map to new and evolving career opportunities across multiple industries. These world-class programs will help lay a framework for individuals to achieve rewarding careers in IT and industry automation. STEM education collaborations will provide fundamental skills needed to support a sustainable workforce globally.

• The Global STEM Alliance will allow for the seamless integration of technology and content—effectively linking the New York Academy of Sciences' successful local programs to locations around the world through in-person and online platforms. This partnership will enable sharing of knowledge resources to every corner of the world—humanizing science, through the use of technology, by connecting science-interested people of all ages across geographic boundaries.

• The Cisco Networking Academy program will help individuals prepare for globally recognized certifications and entry-level ICT careers in virtually every type of industry. Students develop foundational skills in ICT while acquiring vital 21st-century career skills such as problem solving, collaboration, and critical thinking. Courses are offered in multiple languages through a blended learning model that combines classroom instruction with online curricula, interactive tools, hands-on activities, and online assessments. The Networking Academy, in collaboration with education institutions, currently reaches over one million students in 165 countries.