By Foilagi Maua - Faamau Head of Department – Computing Legal Main Contact/CISCO Instructor CISCO NETWORKING ACADEMY – National University of Samoa

National University of Samoa CISCO Networking Academy was originally set up in 2002 I have been with the CISCO Networking Academy for 10 years now 2 years as a CCNA student 8 years as a CISCO instructor

NUS CISCO Networking Academy started off with 5 CCNA instructors 2 new instructors for ITE were added to restart the academy in These instructors were trained and certified from the Box Hill Institute – Melbourne Australia

Another 2 instructors for ITE were added to our CISCO teaching staff in 2008 They were trained at the Tongan Institute under the ITU program for ICT capacity building in Samoa CCNA Discovery 1 and 2 instructor training at the National University of Samoa in 2009 (5 certified) CCNA Discovery 3 and 4 instructor training at the University of Technology Sydney (2 certified)

In total, there are only 3 instructors running the operation now at NUS Instructor training needed for more instructors

Originally NUS CISCO Academy could offer only CCNA in Then the emphasis shifted to IT Essential in 2007 CCNA Discovery 1 and 2 in 2009 CCNA Discovery 1, 2, 3 and 4 in now

Our clientele varies from: Working people Current students School Leavers (secondary school/certificate/diploma holders)

Most students are males Very few females are enrolled in our CISCO classes (less than 30 overall) Most students are from the Apia area BUT there are a few who come from rural areas of Upolu.

Most if not all students who graduate from CISCO programs find employment after especially the IT Essential program. Most students are hired as IT Technicians and they will continue to study at CCNA level. Students are hired by the private sectors, government, industry, financial institutions and others

We have students who have travelled overseas via the quota system and got accepted because of their CISCO qualification We have students who are now undertaking scholarship training overseas to further their studies and gain formal qualifications in the area of ICT and IS.

Resources (Equipment, Financial and Staff) Time Constraints (Commitment from staff and university) Internet

Seeing students finding employment after CISCO especially the school/university leavers Creating a “sense of belonging” for those who cannot afford/meet the requirements to attend higher education

Making a contribution to the wider community in the field of ICT

NUS to offer all ICT certifications and to establish a centre of ICT trainings in Samoa. This can be possible through:

Realignment of NUS strategies Government support Private sponsorship Perhaps the Global family of CISCO Networking Academy

Faafetai lava Thank you