The Open University and Cisco mark 20 years of partnership advancing digital skills

Posted on 25 September 2026 • Computing, Science, maths, computing and technology

Two decades of collaboration have helped thousands of learners develop technology skills, widened participation in digital education and created new opportunities for educators and communities across the UK. 

The Open University (OU) and Cisco are marking 20 years of partnership, celebrating two decades of collaboration to expand access to digital skills and help learners develop the capabilities needed for a rapidly changing technology workforce. 

The anniversary was recently celebrated at Cisco’s London office, where senior representatives from both organisations came together to reflect on the impact of the partnership and sign a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), setting the direction for the next phase of their work together. 

The OU joined the Cisco Networking Academy (NetAcad) in 2005. Since then, the partnership has grown to become the largest Academy in the UK, supporting thousands of OU students each year, while the OU’s Academy Support Centre supports more than 64,000 learners annually. 

Over the past two decades, the partnership has extended well beyond OU students. The two organisations have worked together to widen access to digital technology skills, supporting groups including teachers, disabled learners, armed forces veterans and young women entering cybersecurity and technology careers. 

It has also helped enable a wider portfolio of funded initiatives with partners including the Department for Education, Nominet and Ufi VocTech Trust, estimated to be worth around £5 million. 

“Our partnership with Cisco has demonstrated over 20 years what can be achieved when two organisations share a commitment to widening access to education and equipping people with the skills they need to succeed. 

“Together, we have supported thousands of learners and reached many thousands more through the wider education community, including people who have traditionally been under-represented in technology. 

“The renewed agreement gives us the opportunity to go further, reach more learners and continue opening up access to high-quality digital skills.” 

Professor Dave Phoenix, Vice-Chancellor of The Open University.

The anniversary event brought together senior representatives from the OU and Cisco alongside organisations that have benefited from or contributed to the partnership. Speakers shared examples of the collaboration’s impact across education, employment and digital inclusion, including work with Ada, the National College for Digital Skills, the Forces Employment Charity and apprenticeships. 

The partnership reflects the OU’s mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas, opening up education to people who might otherwise be excluded. This shared focus on inclusion has been central to the relationship with Cisco, alongside a commitment to developing new approaches to digital skills education that respond to workforce needs.  

“We are proud to mark 20 years of collaboration between Cisco Networking Academy and the Open University. The Open University have played an integral role in the success of Cisco Networking Academy over the past 20 years by supporting a large, global network of educators and learners and collaborating with Cisco on programmes focussed on reaching underrepresented communities. I look forward to many more years of partnership and joint success.” 

Elizabeth Buffoli, Cisco Networking Academy Lead, UK, Ireland, and Nordics

The collaboration continues to evolve as emerging technologies reshape the skills people need. Cisco is working with the UK Government on its AI skills initiative, with the OU hosting Cisco’s Introduction to Modern AI course as part of the programme. 

The renewed MOU provides a strategic framework for the next phase of the relationship, building on two decades of shared impact with an ambition to expand access to digital skills and education at scale. 

“What began 20 years ago as an academic collaboration has developed into a thriving community connecting the OU with educators and organisations across the UK and beyond. 

“By bringing together Cisco’s technology and industry expertise with the OU’s experience of open, accessible education, we have been able to support educators as well as learners and reach communities that might otherwise have fewer opportunities to develop digital skills.” 

Andrew Smith, Senior Lecturer at The Open University and Cisco Networking Academy ASC Lead.