​Cisco Networking Academy

Kyoto, Japan, 2014, May 26​

Cisco Systems G.K. participated in "Girls in ICT" for the first time through the Cisco Networking Academy, hosting an event aimed at female university students aspiring to work in the ICT industry. The seminar-style event "School Caravan, powered by Girls in ICT" was jointly hosted by the ICT Education Promotion Council of Japan and the Information and Media department, Liberal Arts faculty of Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts on Monday, May 26, 2014.

These kinds of activities are influential in the employment of female university students aiming for ICT industry jobs. Mr. Yoden, a professor at joint sponsor Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, said: "In 2011, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology made it obligatory to integrate career guidance into university curriculum. Therefore, all universities are involved in career education in various ways. However, there are not many examples of roadshow style lectures like School Caravan. Targeting female university students who don't have sufficient knowledge about the ICT industry, the lecture clearly provided a summary of the industry, job content and women who are actively working in those jobs. I think that the students came out of the lecture feeling encouraged and that their perspectives regarding employment were probably broadened. I hope that this provides the impetus for more students to obtain ICT-related qualifications and seek internships in the ICT industry."

The event was a resounding success with a booked-out lecture room and 75 participants in all. First and second year students in college participated in the seminar, which covered the industry and job types including foundational knowledge regarding ICT.

In particular, the comments from women and graduates already working in the ICT industry, were instructional and incentivized fourth year job-hunting students to start working in the ICT industry.

More than 80% of participating students showed interest in ICT-related jobs and many favorable opinions were collected on the survey that was handed out afterwards.

The Cisco Networking Academy plans to participate in more of these international events in the future. Educational institutions that wish to participate in events tailored for students, please direct inquiries to the Cisco Networking Academy.