Drohobych, Ukraine 9/12/2024– Drohobych Ivan Franko State Pedagogical University has been selected by Virtual Routes to receive up to $500 000,00 grant funding from Google.org’s Cybersecurity Seminar program. With this support, Drohobych Ivan Franko State Pedagogical University will be able to create a cybersecurity program for 100 students across a variety of academic disciplines.
According to the EU, in 2022 the shortage of cybersecurity professionals in the region ranged from 260,000 to 500,000, posing a significant risk to the region’s security, so there is an urgent need for more education and opportunities in the field.
«We are thrilled to have received this grant, which will allow us to offer crucial cybersecurity courses for Drohobych University students and local community organizations. In today’s digital age, the importance of cybersecurity cannot be underestimated, and this funding will enable us to teach the participants the necessary skills and knowledge to protect their systems and data.
We eagerly anticipate collaborating with our community and contributing to strengthening digital resilience across various sectors. This grant is a significant step toward providing both students and local organizations with practical, cutting-edge solutions in the field of cybersecurity. We also value the opportunity to work with local organizations, which will enable us to make a substantial contribution to enhancing community security» – said Dmytro Karpyn, project PI.
Our cybersecurity course is aimed at enhancing the digital literacy of students and representatives of local community organizations. The program provides participants with practical skills in securing information systems, detecting, and preventing cyberattacks. The course covers key aspects of modern cybersecurity, including risk management, secure data storage, and the fundamentals of threat protection. The courses will be offered both as part of an academic discipline and through intensive summer schools. They are suitable for any groups of learners from beginner to advanced students and make a significant contribution to improving digital security across various target groups.
Future graduates of Drohobych Ivan Franko State Pedagogical University will be working in schools in small towns and villages and they will be able to pass on these critical skills to young people which will help to improve security in the digital environment.
«We are proud to be part of a unique European community whose primary goal is to spread knowledge about cybersecurity and promote a deeper understanding of the importance of data protection» – said Dmytro Karpyn.
The Google.org Cybersecurity Seminar Program is being run by Virtual Routes (formerly known as the European Cyber Conflict Research Incubator CIC), to provide Google.org grant funding to selected universities across Europe, the Middle East and Africa in order to provide a diverse range of students opportunities to learn more about the field of cybersecurity. The Google.org funding will support universities that are teaching students how to apply classroom cybersecurity skills in real-life situations. Experiences for students across participating universities could include: internships, mentorship from cybersecurity professionals, and taking part in hackathons to collaboratively solve real world cybersecurity problems.