Students enrolled in this two-year program earn a Computer and Network Technician Diploma. The program is designed to equip students with the necessary knowledge to create, manage and maintain computer networks.

Career Prospects and Access to Further Studies

Most organizations have computers that are connected in a computer network. Consequently, there is a very high demand for personnel who specialize in the installation and administration of networks, computers, software and other equipment connected to a computer network. Graduates of this program have the opportunity to work in the following organizations and professions and/or continue their studies in a Bachelor’s degree program in the field of Computer Networks, Network Security, Information Technology, Management Information Systems, etc.:

• Network installation and administration companies,
• Service, trade or industry companies,
• Banks,
• Telecommunications and internet service providers,
• Companies selling network and information technology products and
• Public and semi-public organizations.

Professional Certifications

The course syllabuses of the program are designed to prepare the students of the Computer and Network Technician Diploma to take external examinations and obtain, in parallel with their studies, the following professional certifications:

• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA),
• Microsoft Azure Administrator,
• Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate and
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).

Accreditation

This program of study is accredited by the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education (CYQAA). CYQAA is the competent authority of the Republic of Cyprus responsible for ensuring the quality of higher education in Cyprus and for the support of the processes provided by the relevant Legislation, for the continuous improvement and upgrading of higher education institutions and their programs of study.

The qualification awarded is recognized by the Cyprus Council of Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications (KYSATS). KYSATS is the competent authority of the Republic of Cyprus for the recognition of higher education qualifications.

Program’s purpose and objectives

The aims and objectives of the program are:

1. To introduce techniques for the design, management, service and support of data communication networks using the appropriate software and hardware.
2. To recognize and restore technical damages of networking issues, by identifying the problematic components and troubleshoot them.
3. To supervise, troubleshoot and maintain network systems.
4. To ensure and verify the proper operation of computer networks (as a network administrator) by making all the necessary remedial actions using the appropriate tools.
5. To safeguard computer systems and networks from malicious intrusions by applying the security principles for computer systems and stand-alone computers.
6. To recognize and restore damages in data communication networks.
7. To extend current network systems in respect to the fundamentals of data network security.
8. To achieve efficient time management based on financial resources, security and quality management. 
9. To provide students with the necessary skills to be able to use popular software applications such as word processing, internet, electronic mail, spreadsheets and presentations applications.
10. To enhance students’ critical thinking and to develop their basic analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Intended learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

1. Understand the theoretical and practical operation of communications and local networks.
2. Identify the means and techniques required to install and operate modern local networks.
3. Use and parameterize basic networking equipment (network cards, switches, subnetting)
4. Comprehend the basic IT terminology in hardware and software.
5. Apply the rules relating to the hygiene and safe exercise of their duties.
6. Assimilate the education of the use of new software and hardware and self-train with the use of appropriate telematics software (tele-education, etc.).
7. Design, maintain and support data transmission networks using the appropriate tools (software and hardware), as instructed by their manufacturers.
8. Apply network security practices and measures.
9. Manage data transmission networks through the operating system or other management tools.
10. Control at the first level and maintain network facilities.
11. Perform diagnostic tests on computer network installations and identify causes of damage.
12. Interconnect local data networks with other networks.
13. Manage, support and maintain Internet access facilities, depending on the time and financial resources they are given, as well as rationally managing security and quality.
14. Configure active network devices to properly allocate their load.
15. Detect and repair malfunctions in data transmission networks.
16. Restore network operating problems.
17. Make job offer suggestions, according to the defined invitations received.