Cisco And Abu Dhabi Government Sign Network Agreement

US-based networking giant Cisco has stuck a deal with the government of Abu Dhabi to train locals in advanced telecommunications.

Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Centre (Adsic), the information and communications technology arm of the government, has signed a framework deal with Cisco to set up a networking academy to teach small and medium-sized businesses how to use computers and communications to improve their operations.

Cisco will also help out with a plan to set up network infrastructure, network security, telecommunications, collaboration, rich-media video and conferencing for the Abu Dhabi government.

Rashed Lahej al Mansoori, director general of Adsic stated: "Information technology has proven its important role also in the face of current international challenges on the financial, economic, social and environmental levels."

The deal will also offer a reward of $175,000 for innovative ideas that lead to Cisco's next billion-dollar business.