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- Cisco signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with Young India Skills University (YISU) and Telangana Academy for Skill & Knowledge (TASK) to advance digital skills in Telangana.
- Through these partnerships, Cisco’s Networking Academy (NetAcad) program will provide industry-relevant courses in AI, cybersecurity and networking to students and government employees.
- The collaboration aims to build the state’s digital skills capacity through expanded NetAcad access across higher education, vocational institutions, and government officers reskilling programs.
HYDERABAD, India, March 26, 2025 – Cisco, the worldwide leader in networking and security, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Young India Skills University (YISU) and Telangana Academy for Skill & Knowledge (TASK) to strengthen digital skills and employability for youth in Telangana through the Cisco Networking Academy (NetAcad) program. These collaborations underscore Cisco’s commitment to advancing skills development and bridging the digital divide by equipping students and government employees with industry-relevant expertise in networking, cybersecurity, AI, and other emerging technologies.
India’s growth and competitiveness relies on a robust digital economy, which demands a workforce with strong digital capabilities. However, a recent study by the National Skill Development Corporation revealed a significant skills gap with a demand for 103 million skilled workers against a current supply of only 74 million. The expansion of NetAcad—one of the world’s longest-running IT skills-to-jobs programs—across Telangana’s higher education and vocational institutions will help bridge the gap by providing students with job-ready skills. The initiative will also support government-led reskilling efforts by offering AI learning content and assessments to government employees so that they have the necessary skills to navigate the digital economy.
Through these partnerships, learners will have access to a mix of self-learning and instructor-led courses on the NetAcad platform. Additionally, students can participate in a virtual internship program to gain hands-on experience. To further support workforce development, Cisco will provide access to programs such as Women Rock IT and Find Yourself in the Future; programs designed for students pursuing careers in technology.
Dr. Guy Diedrich, Senior Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer, Cisco, said, “With technology advancing at an unprecedented pace, it’s incumbent upon us as business and community leaders to upskill our populations at the speed of innovation. Our partnership with TASK and YISU underscores Cisco’s commitment to equipping India’s workforce with the necessary skills to thrive in an AI-driven world. Through the expansion of the Cisco Networking Academy, we aim to empower learners across Telangana with the technical expertise required to secure and shape the digital future.”
V.L.V.S.S. Subba Rao, Vice Chancellor, Young India Skills University added, “At YISU, our mission is to create an ecosystem that empowers young minds with industry-relevant skills, ensuring they are ready for the workforce of tomorrow. Our collaboration with Cisco will enable students to access world-class digital training and education through certificate, diploma and degree courses, enhancing their career prospects and supporting Telangana’s vision of becoming a leading hub for technology innovation. As a University YISU would also afford vertical academic pathways to students through its creditisation and certification.”
Shrikant Sinha, CEO, TASK, said: “We know that digital skills are in demand – and this will only continue to grow as our world becomes more connected, Our collaboration with Cisco will strengthen the networking and cybersecurity skills across the state, equipping our youth with job-ready capabilities and help build a future-ready, agile, and skilled workforce across the state that can drive innovation and fuel digital transformation.”
By coming together with YISU and TASK, Cisco aims to equip youth across the state with digital and IT skills that will prepare them for emerging careers in technology, contributing to the development of a skilled and future-ready workforce in India.
