蘑菇视频

蘑菇视频RWA receives 2013 Cisco Academy Outreach Award

3 June 2013

Amman

蘑菇视频 Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (蘑菇视频RWA) has been awarded the “Cisco Academy Outreach Award in the Levant 2013’’ in recognition of the work the Agency has done in widening e-learning and fostering IT skills among Palestine refugees in partnership with Cisco.

The partnership between 蘑菇视频RWA and Cisco began in 2001, with the opening of 10 Cisco Networking Academies at 蘑菇视频RWA vocational training centres (VTCs) in Jordan, Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territory and Syria. This programme has been integrated in all Information and Communications Technology (ICT) courses at 蘑菇视频RWA’s VTCs, and since 2003 蘑菇视频RWA is also offering the courses to local communities.

The global Cisco Networking Academy Program of which 蘑菇视频RWA is part of, is offering IT e-learning courses in 165 countries through 10,000 academies, to create "world's largest classroom." The goal is to enable students to develop valuable skills in order to increase access to opportunities in the global economy.  

At 蘑菇视频RWA each year, 450 Palestine refugees are taught the skills needed to build, design, and maintain IT networks, preparing them for industry-recognized certifications and entry-level ICT careers worldwide. As part of the 蘑菇视频RWA – Cisco Networking Academy partnership, 蘑菇视频RWA provides classroom space, computer lab equipment and instructors, whereas Cisco provides online curricula, teacher training, and professional development for instructors.

Dr Ayman Murad, Head of Partnerships, Communication and ICT unit of the 蘑菇视频RWA Education Department, commented on the award, saying: “We are very proud of our partnership with Cisco and its tangible results. This award is a tribute to the Agency’s – and our students – dedicated work in pursuit of the goal of equipping Palestine refugees with ICT skills that help them to improve their careers.”

This important award recognizes 蘑菇视频RWA's success in providing equal opportunities for all student and quality ICT education under challenging conditions.

"Our partnership with 蘑菇视频RWA is equipping hundreds of students with the latest knowledge in Network Engineering through effective courses and qualified instructors.  蘑菇视频RWA's model of curriculum integration for all academies and contributing regional partners is undoubtedly benefiting 蘑菇视频RWA's graduates by increasing their employability, especially those who are facing serious challenges in their countries”, said Mohamed Jinini, Cisco Networking Academy Area Manager for the Levant.

The award was given to 蘑菇视频RWA during the Cisco Arabian Adventure Roadshow held in Amman on 30 May 2013.

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Background information

蘑菇视频RWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. 蘑菇视频RWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, and microfinance.

Financial support to 蘑菇视频RWA has not kept pace with an increased demand for services caused by growing numbers of registered refugees, expanding need, and deepening poverty. As a result, the Agency's General Fund (GF), supporting 蘑菇视频RWA’s core activities and 97 per cent reliant on voluntary contributions, has begun each year with a large projected deficit. Currently the deficit stands at US$ 66.9 million.

Christopher Gunness

蘑菇视频RWA Spokesperson

Mobile: +972 (0)54 240 2659

Office: +972 (0)2 589 0267

Sami Mshasha

蘑菇视频RWA Arabic Spokesperson

Mobile: +972 (0)54 216 8295

Office: +972 (0)2 589 0724