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HANDBOOK FOR ACADEMY SUPPORT CENTERS v2.0 | December 2015

PDF: Download ASC_Handbook_v2.0

New Networking Academy Membership Guide

An updated version of the Cisco Networking Academy Membership Guide is now available. The purpose of the guide is to clarify roles, responsibilities, and policies, and help academies succeed. 

Download Cisco Networking Academy Membership Guide v3.0

Not-For-Profit

Cisco’s intent with Networking Academy is strongly aligned with the tenets of Corporate Social Responsibility. Its aim is to benefit students and communities around the world. 

Cisco Networking Academy Policy on “Not-For-Profit” Designation

The Cisco Networking Academy is focused on creating social benefit and positive outcomes for its students and member institutions. In order to be eligible to apply to participate in the Cisco Networking Academy as either an Academy, Instructor Training Center, or Academy Support Center, entities must be either (a) a “not-for-profit”; or (b) a Cisco approved organization, as determined by Cisco.

Academy Policies

This information is taken from the New Networking Academy Membership Guide

Compliance with applicable Cisco Networking Academy policies is required for member institutions. Failure to comply with these policies may result in the termination of a membership agreement and loss of membership privileges and access.

Role of Instructor Training Centers

This information is taken from the New Networking Academy Membership Guide

Instructor Training Centers (ITCs) train and authorize new and current NetAcad instructors and offer the following services:

• Provide one year of technical support to NetAcad instructors who complete instructor training courses or the Instructor Fast Track (IFT) option 
• Create ongoing instructor professional development (IPD) opportunities on a transactional or subscription basis
• Share online instructor resources 
• Help NetAcad instructors understand lab equipment needs for the curricula associated with instructor training courses they complete
• Assist NetAcad instructors with lab setup
• Answer instructors’ technical questions about NetAcad courses or labs

All Instructor Training Centers must comply with the terms of their membership agreement and this Membership Guide

Role of Academy Support Centers

This information is taken from the New Networking Academy Membership Guide

The role of an Academy Support Center (ASC) is to promote the sustainability and success of academies. To qualify as an Academy Support Center, institutions must commit to offering services aligned to the following baseline expectations:

• Act as first point of contact for supported academies in need of operational assistance related to academy and course management
• Assist supported new academies with the onboarding process 
• Assist supported academies with finding instructor training and setting up their classrooms and labs, including ordering equipment
• Build awareness and offer training to increase understanding and usage of new and helpful resources and tools from Cisco and NetAcad partners
• Provide a program orientation to administrators and instructors from supported academies 
• Localize and disseminate critical communications from Cisco 
• Assist supported academies with alignment of Networking Academy courses to current offerings 
• Collaborate with supported academies to improve the quality of academy operations and instruction in Networking Academy courses 

Provide marketing support for supported academies to attract students Academy Support Centers are also expected to work in cooperation with Area Academy Managers (or CSR Managers) to support initiatives and projects based on regional goals and objectives. The Area Academy Manager (or CSR Manager) is a Cisco representative responsible for managing the Networking Academy program within a specific geographical territory.

Academy Support Centers are encouraged to offer other services in addition to the ones aligned with the baseline expectations listed above, and must comply with the terms of their membership agreement and this Membership Guide.

VMware IT Academy - 2014

Below is a message from the VMware IT Academy Programme team with the focus on more sophisticed cloud integration and hybrid strategies.

Enterprises are expected to try new strategies to alleviate internal IT demands in 2014, including deeper and more sophisticated cloud integration, and increased use of artificial intelligence and automation to decrease reliance on human workers, Stephanie Overby writes. Experts say the evolving nature of the outsourcing industry will also see companies employing hybrid strategies that combine offshoring with more on-site, onshore and near-shore options.

Framework for Academy Excellence: Academy Excellence Model

This framework is designed to recognize and promote sustainable success among Cisco  Academies, while providing guidance to those seeking to achieve it. It provides a common vocabulary and way of thinking about the Cisco Networking Academy program to facilitate the effective communication of ideas within NetAcad™ operations and the community at large. The framework encourages continuous improvement, sharing of good practices, and innovation.

New Netacad Agreements - All happening now

As the result of the Cisco Networking Academy Evolution process all Cisco Academies in Belgium have two agreements, one with Cisco and with with an ASC. Here is an illustration of the Academy Parnter Model: Networking Academy Partner Model

[1] Agreement with Academy Support Center (ASC) -- PER COUNTRY

In every country Cisco has established agreements with at least one Academy Support Center (ASC). An ASC acts like a regional academy previously. Every academy needs an agreement with an ASC. All Belgian Networking Academy Contacts have received an invitation by email from BiASC between 25 April and 10 May.

[2] Agreement with Cisco -- GLOBALLY

During May all Cisco Academy Contacts will also receive an email informing about the renewal of the agreements of academies with Cisco itself. It is necessary to accept the agreement if your academy wishes to continue.

The agreement process looks like this:

Netacad EMEAR - Essential Information & Updates

Every month new essential information and updates appear on the Instructor Website of Cisco Networking Academy.

http://lms.netacad.net/course/view.php?id=3541
You will have to log in.

What are the Roles within a Cisco Academy?

As a Cisco Academy there are specific job functions that individuals at an academy need to perform. A person can take on multiple roles as appropriate.

NetAcad Contact (required role)

• Central point of contact between an academy and Cisco
• Update Academy Profile
• Designate NetAcad Success Lead
• Manage the Contract Process
• Choose Academy Support Center
• Add other users to system
• Access Cisco Communications to share with other individuals at academy
• Provide Academy feedback to Cisco

NetAcad Success Lead (required role) 

• Responsible for driving quality and sustainability at your academy, including 
• Understand and ensure compliance with all policies and procedures 
• Act as point of contact for Cisco Quality Team at your academy 
• Review quality metrics after each class completion 
• Suggest quality improvements to your academy members 
• Work with Academy Support Center as a resource for best practices and assistance with processes and tools 
• Improve low quality performance areas
• Participate in Club NetAcad online community 

NetAcad Instructor (required role) 

Teach students Networking Academy curriculum. For additional instructor information and resources, click here. 

NetAcad Staff (optional role) 

Anyone who works at the academy and provides administrative or instructional support can fill this optional role. 

 

Guidelines for Academy Partner Sustainability

Guidelines for Academy Partner Sustainability
Working Together to Educate the Architects of the Networked Economy
December 16, 2011

The purpose of this document is to provide a planning guide for institutions interested in becoming a Cisco Academy, Academy Support Center, Instructor Training Center, or NetAcad Resource Partner. The document will present a series of checklists and scenarios to help you determine the most appropriate service(s) to offer. It outlines how to develop a sustainable model enabling your institution to recover costs and generate income for re-investment (if desired). This document gives guidance on how to evaluate the different types of expenses you may incur while offering support services. It also explains methods of planning for and covering these costs via income generation. 

URL for the full online document: Sustainability Guidelines