For some time, Cisco Systems Inc. has been touting its Learning Partner program--a designation for partners qualified to deliver the vendor's authorized training and certification offerings--most recently suggesting that its move to modernize specializations from technologies to architectures places even more importance on the 350 members of the program worldwide.

Cisco recently named its Learning Partners of the year, segmented by five categories and five regions of the world. The vendor recognized Learning Partners that stood out for achievements in collaboration, acceleration and innovation. One partner, Tech 2000, won in the Global Innovation category for its use of Apple Computer Inc.'s iPad for training courses, labs and exams.

The overall global winner was NIIT Ltd., a provider of learning solutions headquartered in India.

The list of winners:

Worldwide Learning Partner of the Year
NIIT Ltd

Learning Partner of the Year by Region
AP: Global Knowledge Asia Pte Ltd
Emerging Markets: Global Knowledge MEA
Europe: Fast Lane
Japan: Net One Systems Co. Ltd
US  & Canada: Global Knowledge

Excellence in Acceleration
AP: Global Knowledge
Emerging Markets: Global Knowledge
Europe: Fast Lane (EU)
US  & Canada: New Horizons
Worldwide: Fast Lane (EU)

Excellence in Collaboration
AP: Training Partners Ltd
Emerging Markets: CTT
Europe: Fast Lane (EU)
US  & Canada: Skyline ATS
Worldwide: Skyline ATS

Excellence in Innovation
AP: Dimension Data
Emerging Markets: Fast Lane (CEE)
Europe: NIL
Japan: IP Innovations
US  & Canada: Tech 2000
Worldwide: Tech 2000