DIFC, Cisco Partner for Talent Development & Inclusive Education

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is teaming up with Cisco to launch a dynamic talent development initiative aimed at enriching the skills of both DIFC employees and the broader community. Through this collaboration, DIFC Academy, the educational arm of DIFC, will provide access to the globally renowned Cisco Networking Academy. This program, renowned for its efficacy in bridging skills gaps, will offer participants a diverse array of courses essential for thriving in today’s digital economy, spanning cybersecurity, programming, data science, networking, and AI.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between DIFC Academy and Cisco lays the groundwork for an extensive talent development framework, designed to cultivate a digitally adept workforce in the UAE. This initiative marks a milestone as it grants the DIFC community unprecedented opportunities for professional growth and skill enhancement, with a curriculum tailored to meet their unique needs. Alya Al Zarouni, Chief Operating Officer at DIFC Authority, emphasized the critical importance of mastering these skills in the finance sector, underscoring the role of this collaboration in reinforcing Dubai’s stature as a global financial hub.

With a track record spanning 26 years, Cisco Networking Academy has empowered countless individuals worldwide to thrive in the digital realm. In the UAE alone, Cisco has trained over 105,000 learners, with nearly half of them being female—a testament to the program’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity. Abdelilah Nejjari, Managing Director for the Gulf region at Cisco, highlighted the transformative potential of this collaboration in driving digital innovation and aligning with the UAE’s vision for a digitally empowered future.

Through its holistic approach to education, Cisco Networking Academy is poised to equip learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the digital landscape. This collaboration not only bolsters career advancement opportunities but also contributes to the realization of a digitized future envisioned by the UAE.