Manama : National Security Advisor, Supreme Defence Council Secretary-General, Royal Guard Commander and Board of Trustees Chairman of the Nasser Vocational Training Centre (NVTC), Lieutenant-General His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, has directed to establish a Cybersecurity Sciences Academy at NVTC, under the chairmanship of Dr. Abdulla bin Nasser Al-Nuaimi.
The academy which will become one of the basic pillars of the security and technical education in Bahrain, which will enhance the kingdom’s status in the field of security technology and data protection, regionally and globally.
It reflects Bahrain’s strategic ambition of developing cybersecurity practices in the era of the fourth Industrial Revolution that is witnessing an unprecedented digital transformation across various sectors, which requires facing its challenges by promoting a culture of cybersecurity among youngsters, as they are a key factor in achieving security and safety when using modern technologies, and providing them with the skills, as well as scientific and professional expertise necessary to address digital security risks, and be an effective when working in this field, be it at the level of individuals or institutions.
The academy will attract Bahraini students from grade 10 to 12, on the one hand, and secondary school graduates who wish to obtain a diploma in information technology and cybersecurity, in addition to those who had been trained on the principles and sciences of technology and strategy, on the other.
It will oversee future trends in adopting smart technologies that strengthen the cybersecurity system in the kingdom, which will make it an incubator of skilled Bahraini competencies who provide effective and innovative solutions with a positive momentum in the business sector, including data protection, internet security, network protection, cloud security, artificial intelligence, and other skills and technologies that the academy graduates will contribute to shaping the cyber future horizons of the Kingdom.
In this regard, HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad met NVTC’s CEO, Dr. Abdulla bin Nasser Al-Nuaimi, and the CEO of the National Centre for Cybersecurity, Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, and his accompanying delegation.
HH Shaikh Nasser discussed with the delegation ways to cooperate in order to launch the academy in the next academic year 2023-2024, in addition to the academic programmes and educational curricula to developed.
The aim is to ensure that the academy’s output is competitive, meets the needs of the labour market and vital sectors, and is line with the National Cybersecurity Strategy.
It is worth noting that NVTC’s strategic plan 2022-2025 aims transform the Centre into a science city that embraces innovation and digital transformation, to serve as an ideal destination for technological and vocational education for Bahraini youth in developing their skills and experiences, and pushing them towards broader horizons of excellence, based on the leadership’s support.