Cybershield Innovators – The First EIT-Supported Project Led by IGU Reaches 1,205 Participants from 22 Countries

The cybersecurity training project titled “Cybershield Innovators: Pioneering the Future of Digital Security”, coordinated by Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) and supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), has attracted significant attention both in Turkey and around the world. As part of the project, 180 students from 47 different universities across 22 European countries, 968 students from 141 different universities in Turkey, and 57 high school students from various institutions across Turkey participated — reaching a total of 1,205 participants. This extensive engagement helped establish a broad-based and inclusive educational ecosystem in the field of digital security.

Strong Interest Across Europe: 47 Universities from 22 Countries

Participants came from various countries, including Romania (47), Hungary (28), Albania (20), North Macedonia (17), Georgia (16), and Germany (15), with additional applications from the UK, Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Estonia, and Lithuania — showcasing the program’s strong international appeal. Being the first cybersecurity training project from Turkey to receive EIT support, it has garnered attention for its international impact as well.

Top Participating International Universities:

Country	University
Germany	University of Bamberg, Hochschule Aalen, RWTH Aachen University, Stuttgart University
Hungary	Kodolanyi Janos University, Pannon Egyetem
Romania	Polytechnic University of Bucharest, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania
Poland	University of Szczecin, University of Gdańsk
UK	University of Liverpool, Wales University
USA	University of Missouri
Albania	Universum International College
Georgia	International Black Sea University
Kosovo	University of Business and Technology (UBT)
North Macedonia	University of American College Skopje
Lithuania	Klaipėda State University of Applied Sciences
Bosnia and Herzegovina	University of Sarajevo
Montenegro	University of Montenegro
Bulgaria	Technical University - Varna

Strong Interest Across Türkiye: 141 Universities from Over 60 Cities

The “Cybershield Innovators” project achieved a remarkable success by attracting participation not only from major cities but also from across Anatolia. Students from Istanbul, Elazığ, Konya, Düzce, and many other regions took part in the program, with participants from 141 universities in more than 60 cities across Türkiye.

Top Participating Turkish Universities:

Istanbul Gelisim University
Istanbul University
Istanbul Aydın University
Istanbul Medipol University
Bahçeşehir University
Istanbul University - Cerrahpaşa
Anadolu University
Erciyes University
Gazi University
Karadeniz Technical University
Bursa Uludağ University
Hacettepe University
Ankara University
Atatürk University
Bilkent University
Çukurova University
Ondokuz Mayıs University
Fırat University
Middle East Technical University (METU)
Akdeniz University
Gebze Technical University
Iskenderun Technical University
Marmara University
Trakya University
Izmir Institute of Technology
Yeditepe University
Boğaziçi University
Ege University
Kocaeli University
Koç University
Yıldız Technical University
Sivas Cumhuriyet University

These statistics demonstrate that the project has expanded its reach beyond metropolitan centers and succeeded in achieving its goal of equal access to digital education.

Prof. Bahri Şahin: “With Istanbul Gelisim University, Knowledge is Everywhere”

Prof. Bahri Şahin, Rector of Istanbul Gelisim University, made the following remarks about the project: “The Cybershield Innovators project has become a concrete outcome of our university’s vision of digitalization and globalization. It not only provided technical training, but also served as a model of inclusive development and intercultural interaction. With participation from 141 universities in Turkey and 47 universities across Europe, this project made a significant contribution to the international mission of both our country and our university.”

30% Female Participation: Inclusivity at the Forefront

Alongside promoting digital literacy, the project prioritized encouraging women to enter STEM fields. Reaching the target of 30% female participation was considered a significant achievement in terms of gender balance and inclusivity.

Prof. Necmettin Maraşlı: “This is More Than Education – It’s Intercultural Dialogue”

Prof. Necmettin Maraşlı, Vice Rector responsible for Research and Development, also commented on the project: “The diversity of participants increased the project’s accessibility and credibility. In addition to students from all regions of Türkiye, young talents from across Europe — from the heart of the continent to the Balkans and the Caucasus — engaged with the program. This was more than an educational effort; it became a project of intercultural dialogue.”

The Path to the Digital Future Runs Through Gelişim

As the first EIT-supported cybersecurity training project in Türkiye Cybershield Innovators stands out not only for its technical content but also for its commitment to cultural diversity, inclusivity, and regional equality. Beyond educational modules, the project also contributes to participants’ career journeys, standing as a multi-dimensional EIT project grounded in global awareness, equality, and collaboration.