Abu Dhabi: Khalifa University of Science and Technology today announced a pioneering Cybersecurity Seminars programme, the first of its kind in the Middle East, aimed at enhancing cybersecurity skill development and hands-on training, in partnership with Google.org, the UAE Cyber Security Council, and CyberE71.
According to Emirates News Agency, Khalifa University will lead the programme to facilitate universities throughout the UAE in delivering a comprehensive cybersecurity training curriculum. This initiative will offer training courses to students and representatives from public and private sectors, including those with no previous experience.
Prof. Bayan Sharif, Provost of Khalifa University, emphasized that the collaboration with Google.org, the UAE Cyber Security Council, and CyberE71 demonstrates their commitment to developing human capital and expertise in the digital arena. The programme aligns with the UAE's policies to establish the country as a hub for advanced technology and artificial intelligence. Prof. Sharif believes that the programme will provide the Middle East with a multidisciplinary pool of talent capable of addressing digital security challenges.
Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of the UAE Cyber Security Council, highlighted the UAE's dedication to strengthening cybersecurity across all sectors by equipping the next generation with essential knowledge and skills. He noted that as cyber threats become more sophisticated, initiatives like these are critical for ensuring resilience and innovation in the digital ecosystem. The partnership with Khalifa University and Google.org is pivotal in enhancing cooperation between public and private sectors and advancing the UAE's vision of becoming a global leader in cybersecurity.
The programme will be supervised by Prof. Ernesto Damiani and Dr. Luigi Martino from the Center for Cyber-Physical Systems. CyberE71, an initiative by the Cybersecurity Council, supports the UAE's cybersecurity ecosystem. The Council actively promotes partnerships to build a robust digital ecosystem and spread cybersecurity culture globally.
Google.org aids higher education institutions through funding programmes to help students explore cybersecurity career pathways. The seminars are offered in various formats, such as summer schools, evening courses, or credit-worthy university courses, providing practical experience and supporting the digital defenses of under-resourced community organizations.
These university-based seminars address the need for building cybersecurity capacity and resilience in communities and training the next generation of talent with real-world job experience. Khalifa University will provide a complete course syllabus, implementation support, and other educational resources for the programme.