At Cisco, we imagine expertise exists in all places—however alternative doesn’t. That’s why our Study with Cisco packages are designed to open doorways to digital expertise and certifications that may change lives and communities.
In partnership with NIL Studying, we lately launched Challenge 525: an revolutionary curriculum that helps IT and networking professionals put together for the distinguished Cisco Licensed Internetwork Skilled. With a concentrate on reaching learners in areas the place technical certifications might be cost-prohibitive and restricted, equivalent to sub-Saharan Africa, Challenge 525 goals to assist bridge the digital divide.
Challenge 525 is a part of Cisco’s broader studying ecosystem, which affords structured, outcome-based studying paths and certifications. Whereas Challenge 525 is a flagship CCIE preparation program, Study with Cisco enhances it by offering intensive coaching in automation, safety, AI, and networking applied sciences, supporting professionals worldwide.
Bridging the digital divide
Cisco’s involvement in Challenge 525 displays its broader dedication to empowering expertise around the globe, together with in areas equivalent to Sub-Saharan Africa the place the variety of CCIE-certified professionals has traditionally been low. Challenge 525 goals to considerably enhance expert-level engineers by making this system extra reasonably priced and accessible throughout nations equivalent to South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya.
Martin Camp, Managing Director of NIL Knowledge SA, explains, “This system’s affordability and accessibility are key to its success on this area, the place bridging the digital and knowledge divide is vital.”
This regional focus helps Cisco’s Objective to Powering an Inclusive Future for All by enabling native professionals to achieve world-class expertise and contribute to their communities’ digital transformation.
This strategy has enabled vital uptake and success throughout the area and addressing the infrastructure and financial challenges distinctive to those markets.
Considering like an professional
On this planet of elite networking certifications, technical information is simply a part of the equation. True experience lies in the way you assume. Challenge 525 facilities round this concept—coaching members not simply to memorize options, however to assume like seasoned specialists. At its core, this system emphasizes psychological simulation and self-verification, empowering engineers to mentally stroll via complicated situations, anticipate outcomes, and confirm their reasoning earlier than even touching a keyboard.
As a result of the CCIE certification holds the status as probably the most difficult within the networking business, with demanding necessities and excessive failure charges, professionals who search this credential usually face steep studying curves that require complicated problem-solving.
The expert-level mindset that Challenge 525 helps is bolstered via a finely tuned curriculum, top-tier instruction, and a powerful peer neighborhood, all designed to bridge the hole between understanding and utility. Members don’t simply examine networking; they be taught to resolve issues with readability, confidence, and precision as a CCIE.
This system requires a year-long dedication, immersing members in rigorous coursework, labs, and sensible workouts that deepen information and utility expertise to make sure members perceive networking ideas and might apply them successfully in real-world situations.
In keeping with Camp, Challenge 525 “empowers Cisco Licensed Community Professionals (CCNPs) to advance to expert-level proficiency via a rigorous, hands-on curriculum tailor-made to the distinctive infrastructure and financial challenges of Sub-Saharan Africa.”
Cisco’s dedication to Challenge 525 extends internally as nicely, with plans to enroll 200 of its personal engineers from the Technical Help Middle (TAC) and Gross sales. This funding underscores Cisco’s confidence in this system, serving to to develop the subsequent era of CCIEs and fostering a tradition of problem-solving and innovation.
Testimonials of influence
NTT, a worldwide know-how and IT providers firm with a powerful presence in Africa, is considered one of Cisco’s largest channel companions within the APJC area. This system didn’t simply put together these college students for a certification—it reworked the way in which they strategy challenges, collaborate with friends, and contribute to high-stakes initiatives. Challenge 525 isn’t only a examine plan; it’s a shift in mindset—and it’s producing real-world success.
In keeping with Mark Jessiman, VP Expertise Options at NTT, “Getting access to high quality lab tools and environments with the appropriate assist actually gave our staff the sense of confidence that they had been going to make it via this system and likewise the assist to beat the challenges that they skilled alongside the way in which.”
This assist system is a cornerstone of this system’s methodology, because it continues to broaden in sub-Saharan Africa. “The burning aspiration of holding that CCIE qualification is one thing that’s seen as an actual certification milestone, shared Kristy Phaal, SVP of Human Sources at NTT Knowledge. “In Africa, accessibility is basically the important thing.”
World growth
Challenge 525’s success in Sub-Saharan Africa has sparked world growth plans. This system is launching cohorts in Europe and getting ready for development within the Americas and Asia Pacific.
- European cohorts: Challenge 525 is getting ready to launch its first European cohort, extending this system’s attain and affect within the networking neighborhood.
- Accessibility in Africa: Efforts proceed to make this system reasonably priced and accessible, empowering professionals throughout Sub-Saharan Africa with world-class coaching, addressing infrastructure and financial challenges distinctive to the area.
- US growth: With rising demand in the USA, Challenge 525 could quickly carry its intensive CCIE-focused curriculum to American professionals. To assist this development, strategic planning is underway for occasions, partnerships, and in-person classes.
Challenge 525 is greater than a certification pathway—it’s a strategic initiative that aligns with Cisco’s Objective by bridging the digital divide, empowering professionals in underserved areas, and cultivating expert-level considering that drives real-world influence.
