R.O.S.A. Proudly Attends the 2026 Italian Academy Conference in Rome
On Tuesday, May 19th, we arrived at the 2026 Cisco Italian Academy Conference, the premier annual gathering for Cisco Systems’s Networking Academy (NetAcad) community in Italy. Instructors, partners, and industry leaders came together to share syllabus updates, explore state-of-the-art technologies, and celebrate the achievements of top-performing Italian academies. The conference was hosted at the ELIS headquarters, the beautiful Villa Fassini in Rome.
Luca Lepore, Corporate Business Development Manager South Europe at Cisco Systems, opened the conference, while Gianna Li Calzi, Global Field Marketing Lead at Cisco Systems, closed the event by adding a broader international perspective on the future of digital education, workforce development, and technology innovation.
The conference focused heavily on Cisco NetAcad curriculum updates, including AI integration, advanced cybersecurity training, and the expansion of the new IT Essentials learning pathway. A series of expert speakers introduced new features and innovations within the NetAcad course catalogue, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s leading digital upskilling and career-readiness programs. Learn more about Cisco Networking Academy (NetAcad).
Beyond the technical updates, there was a broader recognition throughout the conference of something educators and employers already understand well: digital upskilling is no longer optional. As technology evolves at an unprecedented rate, industries increasingly require professionals with practical, job-ready digital skills in areas such as artificial intelligence, networking, cybersecurity, and IT support.
This is exactly why initiatives like Recording Africa are becoming increasingly important. By creating access to high-quality digital education, industry-relevant training, and international learning opportunities, programs like Recording Africa help bridge the global digital skills gap while empowering the next generation.
The success of the 2026 Cisco Italian Academy Conference also highlighted the importance of collaboration between educational institutions, technology companies, nonprofit initiatives, and international partners working together to advance digital inclusion, workforce development, and accessible technology education. If you want to learn more about our capacity building programs for underserved communities, watch the video below:
The conference was a testament to the strength of the NetAcad community and its shared commitment to preparing students and professionals for the rapidly evolving digital economy. R.O.S.A is proud to have been part of such an important event.