Under the patronage of Prof. Ahmed El-Kased, President of Menoufia University, the Faculty of Computers and Information, with the support of the Education Development Fund, announced the opening of free registration for students to participate in the Cisco Networking Academy EMEA Cup 2026 (Europe, Middle East, and Africa).
The initiative is organized in cooperation between Cisco and Real Madrid Club of Spain, as part of Menoufia University’s commitment to supporting its students and qualifying them for the digital labor market locally and internationally. The program is supervised by Prof. Nasser Abdel-Bari, Vice President for Education and Students Affairs, and Prof. Hatem Mohamed Sayed Ahmed, Dean of the Faculty of Computers and Information.
Prof. Ahmed El-Kased emphasized that Menoufia University is among the leading local and regional universities that place strong emphasis on developing students’ skills in computing and digital technologies as a national and global requirement of the modern era. These fields include vital specializations such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software engineering, and data analysis, which help motivate students toward entrepreneurship across various sectors.
He added that Menoufia University provides and supports genuine opportunities for participation in international competitions that enhance students’ personal, educational, research, and innovative skills. This is achieved through competitions organized by the University’s faculties or through the Innovators and Geniuses Care Fund, which possesses extensive experience in entrepreneurship and in preparing students for innovation and global competitiveness—particularly in artificial intelligence, search engines, networks, and advanced information systems.
The University President also called on students to actively participate in the available free training programs offered through the Cisco Networking Academy Global Cup 2026 for the EMEA region, describing the competition as a significant international step in the world of entrepreneurship and modern technology. The programs are designed in the fields of networking and computer science to develop students’ technological skills, stimulate innovation, and provide a unique experience with opportunities to win valuable prizes through enrollment in free training courses and programs offered as a full scholarship to Menoufia University students.
Prof. El-Kased further urged students to enroll in these programs, which represent a real opportunity to acquire practical skills and build a strong foundation in modern technological fields. The programs include:
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Introduction to Cybersecurity
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Safety and Security Awareness
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Introduction to Modern Artificial Intelligence
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Introduction to the Internet of Things and Digital Transformation
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Networking Fundamentals
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Industrial Networking Fundamentals
Outstanding students may also be nominated for additional scholarships, courses, and competitions in the same fields.
For his part, Prof. Hatem Sayed Ahmed, Dean of the Faculty of Computers and Information, explained that the competition is open to Menoufia University students to participate in several free global training tracks, with direct registration through the official website. The competition consists of two stages:
Stage One (Learn-A-Thon):
Includes several benefits, most notably:
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Full training courses (100% free) in six global technical tracks that are among the most in-demand fields in the labor market.
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Internationally accredited Cisco certificates that strengthen students’ CVs and enhance employment opportunities locally and internationally.
Stage Two (Finalist Universities):
Includes:
In the same context, Engineer Nasser Abdel-Latif, Cisco Academy Coordinator at the Faculty and Teaching Assistant in the Information Systems Department, explained that points in the competition are calculated based on students’ registration in accredited training tracks and their actual engagement and interaction within the courses. This includes completing training content, participating in accompanying activities, and passing the required assessments. Points are accumulated at the level of participating universities.
He noted that the final deadline for registration is 30 January, while the competition activities will conclude on 8 March 2026. Students wishing to participate can register through the free training track links available on the official platform.