Cybershield Innovators Project Meeting Held in Düsseldorf, Germany

Within the scope of the cyber security training project titled "Cybershield Innovators: Pioneering the Future of Digital Security", coordinated by Istanbul Gelisim University and supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a project meeting was held with the Proficiency Institute, the partner of the university in the project, on June 17, 2025 in Düsseldorf, Germany. The meeting, which was held due to the transition to the online training phase, was important in terms of clarifying the implementation process and strengthening corporate cooperation.

Istanbul Gelisim University was presented by Rector Prof. Bahri Şahin, Vice Rector Prof. Necmettin Maraşlı, Head of Software Engineering Department and Project Training Coordinator Asst. Prof. Serkan Gönen and International Exchange and Cooperation Coordinator and Project Administrative Coordinator Alisa Usubova. Proficiency Institute, on the other hand, is run by Alper Ece.

Project Application Process and International Interest

Despite the short-term application period, a total of 1265 students applied to the Cybershield Innovators project. This number revealed the high access capacity and international appeal of the project.

While 982 of the applications came from Turkey, the candidates showed interest in the project from more than 65 cities and over 151 universities. 223 applications from abroad include countries such as Poland, Germany, Romania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, England, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Georgia, Ukraine, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Estonia and Lithuania.

Wide participation reveals that the project prioritizes not only technical education, but also intercultural interaction and inclusive development in the digital field.

Main Agendas Discussed at the Meeting

The following topics were discussed in detail at the meeting:
•             Curriculum of online trainings to be carried out in the period of June-September 2025
•             Final structure of trainer and mentor staff
•             Participant selection process and distribution between countries
•             Academic validity of the certification process and compliance with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF)
•             Career support services, employment referrals and long-term sustainability plans

It was emphasized that the project aims not only to gain technical competence, but also to support the development of participants in ethical values, professional awareness and cultural diversity.

A First in Turkey: The First Cybersecurity Training Project Supported by EIT

Cybershield Innovators is the first cybersecurity training project supported by EIT among universities in Turkey. In this respect, it offers an important example of success for Istanbul Gelisim University both nationally and internationally.
At the end of the meeting, the project partners expressed their satisfaction with the process and expressed their openness to new collaborations in the future.
With its structure that gives priority to women participants, applied training model, internationally valid certification system and sectoral employment-oriented approach, Cybershield Innovators is on its way to becoming a model of education in the field of digital security throughout Europe.