Cisco training becoming popular in Phnom Penh

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2009032424959/Business/Cisco-training-becoming-popular.html

Cisco training becoming popular
Written by Hor Hab
Tuesday, 24 March 2009

Network training with American IT giant Cisco becoming more widely
available and popular as Cambodians look to increase their
competitiveness in the job market

SINCE 2002, Cisco, the largest maker of networking equipment in the
world, has run computer network training courses for Cambodians.

Based on the program's success in its early years at the government's
National ICT Development Authority facility in Phnom Penh, the
training program has expanded to high schools and universities in the
capital, said Hong Sophany, a marketing representative of Cisco
Networking Academy Program at Yejj Institute.

For Leng Bunny, an instructor with Cisco, the motivation for the
training is simple: "People enroll because it gets them jobs."

A Cisco-approved tag, he said, does not come easily. Students must
undergo four course levels, each three months long, and pass a final
test to earn the title Cisco Certified Networking Associate.

Cisco's introductory networking classes now can also be taken at Preah
Sisowath High School, Pannasastra University of Cambodia, the
Institute of Technology of Cambodia, Asia Europe University and the
Centre for Information Systems Training.

"The popularity of the training class is growing fast along with the
development of the telecoms sector in Cambodia," Leng Bunny said.

Around 2,250 people have enrolled in the Cisco Networking Academy
Program since its inception, with 164 earning a Cisco Certified
Networking Associate degree and just six earning Cisco's Professional
degree.

Lorn Pisal, an employee at Campura Systems Corporation, attended the
program from 2005 to 2007. He said that before carrying the training
on his resume, it was exceedingly difficult to get a job. Since
graduating, he is automatically shortlisted, he said.

"The people who take this course are the first people to be selected
for jobs," he said. "And the information and technology sector is the
most promising in Cambodia for long-term careers."

Cisco stipulates people must have at least two years of university
experience to enroll. Fees are US$100 per course. In an effort to
promote the employment of women in the information and technology
sector, women are given a 60 percent discount on tuition fees, while
public servants receive a 50 percent discount.
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