I do not have any IT skills which course would you recommend for me?

A Certificate in Computer Applications (CCA) or the International Computer Driving License (ICDL) is the recommended beginner’s course. Please refer to the diagram below for assistance in choosing a career path.

Who is eligible to register for the short courses?
All the courses are open for public including industry professionals and university/college level students, although students are expected to have a minimum of an ‘O’ level certificate and basic background knowledge about computers. Contact the Front office administrators for additional details.

How do i register for a course and/or withdraw from a course?
Registration - As long as you are eligible, just come to the Front office and pick up the registration forms and fill in the required information. For further assistance you can always ask the Front office administrators.
Withdrawal – Write a letter to the Head of the Department explaining reason(s) for withdrawal or dropping out and provide detailed class information (class intake, username, academic ID etc.).

What is the fee structure for each course?
Students generally pay approximately between 100,000 UgShs to 600,000 UgShs. To keep in line with gender balance, female students are given additional discounts on some courses.

What if I register and the time of the course scheduled is not suitable for me?
Classes will typically start at 9:00am; however, due to the demands from potential students course schedules have been created to accommodate them. Currently we have classes running in the mornings, afternoons, early evening, and weekends.  

What is the duration of the courses?
The duration of the course is normally specified in the announcement. On average the courses are between 5 weeks to 9 months.
I'm currently working and I can only join evening classes.
Yes we do have evening classes. Please contact the center for additional details.

What materials do I need to do any of the courses?
Materials required are a pen, calculator (preferably a scientific one), and an A4-sized notebook.

What materials will be provided by the Center?
You will have access to the on-line multimedia course notes and a fully equipped computer lab at the center. You will also get to do practical work with computers, cables, routers, switches etc.

How about practical hands-on training?
The courses all include in-class instructions, hands-on labs, and online materials and exams. Some of the online materials and hands-on labs are designed by Cisco for the CCNA & CCNP courses while the other courses are designed and compiled by instructors from the centers.

How do I access the short courses labs?
Using a valid ID or receipt obtained within the first month of being admitted to course from the PSD office (5th floor, Block A).

When do I get my certificate(s)?
Upon completion of the course (online assessments and written exam) the student should present to the front office administrators or to the PSD office administrators;

• A clearance receipt showing all pending fees have ben cleared and
• A valid ID (Driving license, passport etc.).

I have lost a receipt, certificate, ID etc. and how do I get it replaced?

•  Loss - Present a Police letter and pay 5,000 UgShs (Please note you should be enrolled in an ongoing class.)
• Certificate Loss – Show proof of class completion, clearance to show proof of payment and pay 10,000 UgShs per certificate).
• Receipt Loss – Pay 10,000 (within accounts office) not the Bank.

CISCO NETWORKING ACADEMY
What are the Cisco Networking Academy courses?
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and Cisco Certified Network Professional CCNP) are courses that provide students with basic and professional foundations in Networking. Students who successfully complete these portions of the program are eligible to earn CCNA and CCNP certification.

I'd like to know about the exams and how they are taken?
There are multiple assessment criteria for each CCNA and CCNP course. This includes online chapter quiz, online final exam, and in-class written exam.

What if I don't pass the exam in the first try, how many times do i get to sit for the exam?
You have 3 trials for the online final exam. The passing grade for students is 70%, for instructors it is 80%, if you fail the 3 trials, you will have to repeat the course.

I need to finish CCNA courses faster; do you have short CCNA courses?
Yes apart from the 6 month CCNA course we do offer a shorter CCNA course lasting 4 months.
Admission to the Makerere University using CCNA
CCNA serves as a minimum entry requirement to undergraduate degree programmes (e.g. BIT, CSC, and CSE etc.) at Makerere University under the diploma entry scheme.
Requirements for Applicants

• O’ level certificate- At least 5 credits passes out of 9 subjects done at O’level.
• A’ level certificate- At least one principal pass
• CCNA certificates- All 4 certificates, candidate must have completed all the 4 modules of the CCNA course. Satisfactory weighted average is required if you want to gain credits for this course and gain the completion certificates from Cisco.

Note: A combination of all these qualifications is used to compute the final mark on the basis of which a candidate is finally and formally admitted to the university.
International Certification
Students who would like to work in the industry will be required to have international certification qualifications. Employers are always looking for fine Associates (CCNA) and Professionals (CCNP). The Center is an Authorized Pearson VUE/Prometric center for certification in Academy courses like CCNA, A+, and CCNP etc.
Testing Fees
Contact the Testing Center administrator for details (BLOCK A, Level 6)
Obtaining a CISCO Discount Voucher
Academy students qualify for a voucher code if you pass the end of semester 4 online final exam with 75% and above on the first attempt. This means a student gets a 50% discount off the exam fees. A student can prepare, sit and pass the certification Exam, 4-6 weeks after course completion and also download the voucher code from the student profiles under career development link. (Preparation materials can be picked from the CISCO assets manager).

I'm already CCNA industry certified, what shall I do to obtain the instructor certification?
In order to become a certified academy instructor, you must complete at least a so-called Fast Track training for the four CCNA courses that will include only written assessment exams. If you are interested please contact the academy.
Completion of Academy courses and joining Alumni
Please register as ALUMNI after completing your course so that you can always have an opportunity to log into your account even after 5 years. Additionally, you will also receive newsletters and updates from Cisco. Cisco always de-activates/un-flags dormant accounts for users that did not register as Alumni. Please take note of this.

TESTING CENTER
What is International Certification?
These are standard international assessments (tests) that upon completion are recognized world wide and students who would like to work in the industry will be required to have international certification qualifications. Employers are always looking for fine Associates (CCNA) and Professionals (CCNP). The Center is an authorized Pearson VUE/Prometric center for certification in courses like CCNA, A+, CCNP, Oracle, ICDL etc.

What do I do if i want my skills certified and internationally recognized?

• Visit the Testing Center on Level six Block A
• Find out the price of your exam
• Pick Bank slips from the front office and deposit the money,
• Get a receipt and then get a booking form on which you will indicate your preferred sitting date and time.                                       

How do I Obtain a CISCO discount voucher?
Academy students qualify for a voucher code if you pass the end of semester 4 online final exam with 75% and above on the first attempt. This means a student gets a 50% discount off the exam fees. A student can prepare, sit and pass the certification Exam, 4-6 weeks after course completion and also download the voucher code from the student profiles under career development link. (Preparation materials can be picked from the CISCO assets manager).

I want to sit for the GMAT exam what do I do?

• The first step is registering for GMAT which is done online on www.mba.com.
• After registration, you can view the Test preparation materials, the GMAT bulletin and you can also schedule for an exam online.
• If you are able to do all this online, you would only be required to come to the Testing center on your exam date with a Valid ID and a confirmation letter.

What do i need to come with on the Exam date?
You only need to come with a valid ID (Passport, Drivers license or a National ID) that shows your photograph, signature and (or) your date of birth (this is optional for some exams.)

Can I reschedule my exam after I have booked an exam date?
Yes, you are advised to reschedule exams within 48 hours before the exam date. You need a space of two working days to reschedule for an exam booked at the Testing Center.

I had paid money for training but now want to use it for Certification, is it possible?
Yes, its possible just approach the Testing center administrators for details.

INTERNSHIPS
How do I get an internship opportunity?
Upon completion of your course, prepare a detailed CV attached with relevant documents e.g. academic transcripts, certificates etc. and then hand them into the Workforce Development Coordinator for final assessment.

Who is eligible for an internship opportunity?
Students who have at least completed IT Essentials and CCNA are eligible for an internship.

Where is the Workforce Development Coordinators office?
It is located on the 5th floor, PSD office Block A.