Outstanding Cisco honour recognises decade of digital skills impact

More than 5 000 students trained, eight certified instructors and a decade-long partnership with a global technology leader have earned the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) a Cisco Academy Outstanding University Partner Award.

The recognition from Cisco Networking Academy acknowledges the University's strong growth in Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) enrolment, its contribution to developing industry-ready ICT graduates and expanding access to globally recognised ICT training opportunities.

The award was presented on 22 July 2026, celebrating TUT's sustained growth in Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) student enrolment and its active engagement with the Cisco Networking Academy programme.

Enos Letsoalo, Lecturer in the Department of Information Technology and Cisco Academy Coordinator in the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), represented the Faculty at the award ceremony. He said the recognition reflects years of commitment to preparing students for a fast-changing digital environment and meeting the needs of the ICT industry.

The partnership between TUT's Department of Information Technology and Cisco began in 2015, enabling the Department to join the Cisco Networking Academy. During the past decade, the TUT Cisco Academy has enrolled more than 5 000 students, providing access to industry-relevant networking resources, practical learning tools and assessments that strengthen technical capabilities.

The Academy currently has eight certified Cisco instructors who equip students with both technical and workplace skills aligned with industry expectations. TUT also aligns selected modules with Cisco's internationally recognised courses and certifications, including the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) programme and security-focused courses.

One example is Cisco's Introduction to Networks course, which aligns with the Department's first-year Computer Network 125 module. This approach gives students exposure to current networking technologies while supporting their academic studies.

Students benefit from access to contemporary networking resources, tools and advanced assessments that enhance both technical knowledge and practical competence. CCNA-aligned courses introduce students to the skills required to configure, secure, troubleshoot and manage enterprise networks, while practical activities help prepare them for professional careers in the ICT sector.

"I am extremely excited about the fact that TUT’s Cisco Academy has won the Outstanding University Partner Award. As Cisco celebrates reaching 600 000 students in South Africa, I am proud to say that the TUT Cisco Academy has contributed enormously to student enrolment. We are not just adding to the numbers, but we are ensuring that the computer networks and security graduates that we produce are future-ready as far as the ICT and digital industry requirements are concerned," Letsoalo said.

He highlighted the value of maintaining the Academy's long-standing relationship with Cisco and acknowledged the Academy's instructors' commitment.

"It is great to be associated with Cisco, a huge global leading technology company. Sustaining our partnership with Cisco is important, because it is yielding positive results. Furthermore, I am proud of the instructors that our Academy has. The instructors are working tirelessly daily to ensure that our students are equipped with the technical skills that the industry requires. It is the teamwork from everyone within our Academy that contributed to this massive achievement."

The award is another success in TUT's efforts to strengthen industry partnerships and equip graduates with the knowledge, practical experience and professional skills required to succeed in the digital economy. It also highlights the impact of a decade-long collaboration that continues to create opportunities for students and contribute to a skilled, future-ready ICT workforce.