Cisco and The New York Academy of Science Grow Global STEM Alliance to Meet the Demand for Future Scientists, Entrepreneurs and Innovators

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - Nov 18, 2013) -  Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) and the New York Academy of Sciences (the Academy) today announced two new partners, the City of Buenos Aires, Argentina and the State University of New York (SUNY), will join The Global STEM Alliance. Cisco and the New York Academy of Sciences have established The Global STEM Alliance to bring curriculum resources, inter-generational mentorship and access to cutting-edge science and technology research to students around the world. The country of Malaysia and The City of Barcelona were the first to join the Alliance in October at the Internet of Things (IoT) World Forum in Barcelona on October 29, 2013.

The Internet of Things is creating an unprecedented opportunity for both current and future generations of (IoT) entrepreneurs, scientists and innovators. As detailed in 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 globally¹, 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 and that engaging these future graduates early in education is critical, Cisco is committed to meeting this demand for high-skill workers through strategic programs and partnerships for current and future generations.

Also announced today is a proof of concept center that will enable the Academy, via Cisco technology, to connect STEM students involved in local programming, with other students around the world, as well as with experts in the fields of science, math and engineering. SUNY, which provides graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who act as mentors in the Academy's Afterschool STEM Mentoring Program, has also installed widespread use of Cisco TelePresence to facilitate interaction among students, faculties, and researchers across its locations in New York and around the globe.

Key Highlights:

• 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 Global STEM Alliance builds on the jointly operated Afterschool STEM & Mentoring Program created by SUNY and the Academy. Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows from six SUNY campuses mentor local middle school students in the STEM disciplines. The six campuses are: SUNY Downstate Medical Center, SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), SUNY Institute of Technology (SUNYIT), the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE), SUNY Oswego, and Stony Brook University.
  
  
• Cisco is the global leader in Internet education programs according to IDC. It has several globally recognized education programs that span the ICT agenda in computers, networking and new IoT industry solutions creating new jobs and careers that will transform existing industries. These world-class programs will help lay a framework for individuals to achieve rewarding careers in IT and industry automation. The Cisco Certification program is the industry's benchmark for qualifying individuals for skills across 50 different specializations of Internet solutions and technology. Cisco education and certifications are offered to customers and partners through multiple channels. Cisco Learning Partners, Cisco Press, and Cisco's direct training solutions which offer state of the art education programs designed to help its partners and customers with advanced topics and curricula. 
  
  
• The Cisco Learning Network and The Cisco Networking Academy program both offer on-line programs for educating individual students to prepare them for entry-level ICT careers in virtually every type of industry. Cisco Learning Network is designed for the independent study of Cisco certifications and jobs. The Networking Academy program offers through global education partnerships offer foundational ICT education that lead to Cisco certifications. Its 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 and its global partners along with the Cisco Learning Network reach over 2 million students in 195 countries. 
  
  
• All of Cisco's educational and certification offerings provide students ICT education while acquiring vital 21st-century career skills such as problem solving, collaboration, and critical thinking.
  
  
• These world-class programs will help lay a framework for individuals to achieve rewarding careers in IT and industry automation. STEM education partnerships will provide fundamental skills needed to support a sustainable workforce globally. 
  
  

Supporting Quotes

Wim Elfrink, executive vice president, Industry Solutions and chief globalization officer:
"Cisco is committed to meeting the demand for current and future generations to take advantage of the opportunities created by the Internet of Things. Together with our strategic industry and government partners we can give the students of today the tools to succeed in the future."

Ellis Rubinstein, president and chief executive officer of the New York Academy of Sciences:
"We are thrilled to collaborate with Cisco on The Global STEM Alliance. By connecting students with other students around the world, as well as with the brightest scientists and engineers located anywhere on the globe, we are engaging a new generation in STEM in active and exciting ways. What an opportunity -- to prepare today's children for the STEM-focused, global workforce of tomorrow with the help of technology and regional partners."

Esteban Bullrich, Minister of Education of the City Government for Buenos Aires,
Argentina:
"The incorporation of new technologies within learning environments allows teachers to communicate with their students in a different way, offering the possibility of modifying teaching practices and extend learning beyond the classroom space. We are very proud to work with Cisco and the New York Academy of Sciences in order to collaborate with different cities and institutions around the world and to increase teacher content knowledge, pedagogical skills, and comfort with STEM fields."

Nancy L. Zimpher, Chancellor of Education, SUNY:
"In order to meet increasing demand globally for a more technically-savvy, highly-skilled workforce, it is critical that we use today's top technology and innovative thinking in our classrooms, from the earliest stages of education through college. This Alliance will greatly enhance SUNY's efforts to educate and train today's students for tomorrow's careers, and we are deeply proud to partner with Cisco and NYAS on this vital task."

Dr. Tim Killeen, President of the Research Foundation for SUNY and SUNY Vice Chancellor for Research:
"The Cisco technology and partnership with NYAS will increase the capacity of the SUNY Networks of Excellence, which foster research collaborations between SUNY and our partners in private industry to spur commercialization of our best ideas and innovations."

Mayor of Barcelona, Xavier Trías:
"Joining the Global STEM Alliance, together with Cisco and the New York Academy of Sciences, is for Barcelona an opportunity to develop the specialized talent and skills needed to nurture the transformative power of young people. Barcelona is also proud to host this edition of the Internet of Things World Forum. From health to social care, from education to public transport and electric mobility, the Internet of Things is already changing the way we live."

Prof. Tan Sri Sharifa Hapsah, vice chancellor, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM):
"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."

Zeus Kerravala, principal analyst, ZK Research:
"As the Internet of Things accelerates, there is a growing need for qualified, specialized technical talent that can implement next generation networking technologies across industries such as manufacturing, energy and others. With its proven track record of preparing workforces for new technology opportunities and redefining industries through certifications such as CCNA, combined with established partnerships across public and private sectors, Cisco is ideally positioned to create and deliver focused training and certifications that will help close the gaps in knowledge and skills in these critical areas."

Additional resources:

• To learn more about Cisco training and certifications, visit the Cisco Learning Network: www.ciscolearningnetwork.com
• More information on the Cisco Network Academy http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/netacad/index.html
• Learn more about the Global STEM Alliance: www.nyas.org/GlobalSTEMAlliance
• To learn more about the Afterschool STEM & Mentoring Program

About Cisco
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in IT that helps companies seize the opportunities of tomorrow by proving that amazing things can happen when you connect the previously unconnected. For ongoing news, please go to http://thenetwork.cisco.com

About The New York Academy of Sciences
The New York Academy of Sciences is an independent, not-for-profit organization that since 1817 has been committed to advancing science, technology, and society worldwide. With 22,000 members in 140 countries, the Academy is creating a global community of science for the benefit of humanity. The Academy's core mission is to advance scientific knowledge, positively impact the major global challenges of society with science-based solutions, and increase the number of scientifically informed individuals in society at large. Please visit us online at www.nyas.org 

About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating nearly 463,000 students in more than 7,500 degree and certificate programs, and more than 1.8 million NYS citizens in professional development and personal enrichment programs, on 64 college and university campuses. There are nearly 3 million SUNY alumni worldwide. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu. 

Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Cisco's trademarks can be found at www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company.

http://newsroom.cisco.com/rss-feeds

¹ "ICT For Greater Development Impact," World Bank (June 2012); European Commission Global Economic Outlook. http://www.worldbank.org