ASC Support

Below is the more technical - legal stuff. Which you must read and we have to share. It complies with Cisco and Open University expectations. However we feel that you should be aware.

The Open University does not run its ASC as a primary income source.

This means:

• We will help any academy
• We are happy to help develop new academies
• We are also happy to help struggling academies
• Size is of no interest
• Most academies are supported for free
• Some academies that progress into long term delivery of CCNA/CCNA-S and CCNP may go to other ASC's or seek the services of our independent ASC advisors. However, this is not a mandatory requirement
• We seek our funding by other means

At the Open University, we offer three support modes all under our ASC-lite model.

Mode 1:

• You are an 'open mode' academy, in the short to mid-term, with the long term intention of delivering or CCNA, CCNA-S, CCNP. There is no defined time limit, the Open University ASC prefers to focus on a flexible paradigm.
• You may be an established Cisco academy that does not require detailed support offering CCNA, CCNA-S nor CCNP.
• You are a member of the Academy Incubator community.
• Cost: £00.00 (yes free in any currency)
• You must participate in a community: focused on teaching Linux, Packet Tracer, CyberSecurity, IoT as well as other free offerings from Cisco Systems.
• Your support adviser comes from the community, as well as modes 2 and 3.
• You must first self-study any course you plan to teach from the free offering.
• If and when you are looking to become a mature and established CCNA and/or IT essentials academy. You must move to Mode 2 or look to another ASC in your locale for support. The Open University Cisco ASC team are committed to developing academies and view the move between modes as a transition process.
• Access an annual event via the Open University ASC Facebook Page.
• However, it is important to understand it is our discretion. You must approach us prior to becoming a Mode1 Cisco Academy. Please do not consider it to be a 'given' affiliation.
• This 'relationship' is as a member of the Cisco Networking Academy programme - any organisation who is supported under Mode 1 - will not have any form of contract, partnership or agreement with the Open University and will not infer/imply this in any form.

Mode 2:

• You wish to have an ongoing standard support agreement from an experienced Cisco ASC expert. Paul Wallin and Kevin Large , are long established members of the Cisco Academy community and associates of the Open University. In this capacity they will act as a consultant ASC specialist (namely support advisers).
  • You will have a direct contract with either Paul or Kevin, not both. You will not have any form of contract, partnership or agreement with the Open University.
• This will be for academies looking for specialist long term IT Essentials or CCNA/CCNA-S/CCNP support.
• Using the open model, promoted by the Cisco Academy programme you may use any ITC for instructor training
• Instructor training is available via our ITC as a separate service.
• The fee is £750 … your contract is directly with Paul or Kevin, the Open University does not receive any income. Under this agreement you will have:
  • Access to Paul Wallin or Kevin Large, for an equivalent of three days annual problem resolution, support and guidance
  • Paul Wallin, Kevin Large and Andrew Smith as members of your academy for any remote support and academic guidance
  • Periodic ‘web based’ interaction
  • Access to an annual event at one of the Open Universities regional offices.
  • Access to the same benefits as the Mode 1 academies.

Mode 3:

• There are some academies for whom the normal model of support is not applicable and we can work to support unique under served communities. The Open University is happy to work with educational establishments who meet this expectation. But, please be aware, this model is entirely discretionary and by invitation.
• Andrew Smith is your designated support adviser.
• The cost is £00.00, again this is free, but may be supported by other 'alternate' funding sources or offered where academies need the support getting back on their feet. Each case will be reviewed on its individual and unique merits and is entirely the sole decision of Andrew Smith.
• Mode 3 academies will be supported by Andrew Smith a full time member of the Open University academic staff with the support of community members. You will have access to the benefits offered to Mode 2 and Mode 1 academies.
• Instructor training can be provided via the Open University ITC
• Academies deemed to be abusing their Mode 3 status, will be given 30 days notice, where they may either move to Mode 2 or another ASC.
• This 'relationship' is as a member of the Cisco Networking Academy programme - any organisation who is supported under Mode 1 - will not have any form of contract, partnership or agreement with the Open University and will not infer/imply this in any form

For all modes, academies deemed to be abusing their status, will be given 30 days notice, where they may move to another ASC if they are unwilling to change modes.

Mode 4:

• Any apprenticeship focussed academy subject to a MOU with Cisco Systems.
• All mode 4 members, will have access to services from modes 1 and 2.

Mode 5:

• Specialist development hubs, with Cisco Academies leading groups of other Cisco Academies - with a view towards future community expansion.
• All mode 5 members, with have access to services from modes 1 and 3.