Beirut, November 30th 2025 – The Internet Society (ISOC) has completed a regional Designing and Deploying Computer Networks (DDCN) Training of Trainers (ToT) programme for members of its chapters in the Middle East and North Africa, led by the Internet Society Lebanon Chapter.

The programme forms part of the Internet Society’s Community-Centered Connectivity Technicians learning track and aims to build a pool of certified local trainers who can design, deploy and maintain computer networks for communities across the region.

Regional participation

The ToT brought together chapter members from Yemen, Lebanon, Palestine, Somalia, Oman, Libya, and Egypt, following earlier DDCN training delivered by the Lebanon Chapter for learners in the region.

Across these nine chapters, around 200 participants enrolled in the online phase of the course. From this group, 25 trainees were selected for an in-person Bootcamp in Oman based on their performance and commitment.

Blended learning format

The DDCN ToT used a blended format built around:

  • Six weeks of online learning on the Internet Society’s platform, starting in September 2025, with weekly live sessions, 12 modules and 4 assignments.
  • A five-day practical Bootcamp hosted at the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) in Muscat, Oman, and led by Roberto Zambrana from 16 to 20 November 2025, focused on hands-on configuration of routers, switches, cabling and local area networks, .

By the end of the programme, participating trainers are able to design and deploy small-scale LANs, connect them to Internet service providers, troubleshoot common network issues, and support community connectivity projects in their countries.

Leadership and collaboration

The Lebanon Chapter acted as the leading chapter for this regional pilot, working with the Internet Society’s Community Engagement and Learning teams to coordinate chapter participation, adapt the agenda to regional needs and document the experience as a blueprint for future programmes.

Trainers Nada Mais and Salwa El Mais from the Lebanon Chapter led the ToT delivery, in close collaboration with Hana Sabbagh from the global Internet Society team and Zakie Karam, Vice President of the Internet Society Lebanon Chapter, who initiated and led the project.

“This Training of Trainers is a strong step for our region. We now have motivated technical professionals in nine countries ready to train others in the fundamentals of network design and deployment,” said Zakie Karam, Vice President of the Internet Society Lebanon Chapter.

“Participants showed high engagement during the six-week online course and the Bootcamp in Oman. Their new skills will support universities, NGOs and local communities that need reliable Internet connectivity,” added Nada Mais, DDCN trainer.

Blueprint for future regional training

The MENA DDCN initiative is designed as a blueprint that other Internet Society chapters can use when applying for funding and setting up similar regional training programmes. The model targets:

  • 7–10 participating chapters in a region
  • Around 25 trainers in total
  • Local cohorts of 25 learners per chapter for future DDCN deliveries
  • A multi-year workplan with the leading chapter for ongoing capacity building

Each trainer is expected to train at least 75 members from their country over the coming period, multiplying the impact of this regional initiative at national level.

About Designing and Deploying Computer Networks (DDCN)

DDCN is a foundational technical course in the Internet Society’s Community-Centered Connectivity Technicians track. It focuses on the design, deployment and maintenance of local networks that support affordable, reliable Internet access in underserved communities.
The course is accessible via the following link: https://www.internetsociety.org/learning/ddcn/