UDST President to QNA: We Enhance Cyber Security through Our Programs, Curricula 

Doha, January 10 (QNA) - The University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST)'s two-day International Symposium on Cyber Security, organized in partnership with Qatar's National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), shining a spotlight on the challenges, opportunities, and applications of the practice across a variety of industrial sectors.
    Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), President of UDST Dr. Salem bin Nasser Al Naemi said "UDST has been deeply committed to this field, we have been developing curricula and research programs that are not only robust and comprehensive but also aligned with the needs and aspirations of Qatar and its vision for cyber security."
        Al Naemi underscored the university's keenness on informing parties in various sectors about the significance of countering cyber security challenges, as well as familiarizing them with advanced technologies.
       The President of UDST indicated that the event features an impressive array of keynote speakers and subject matter experts from Qatar, Germany and the USA, offering deep insights and varied perspectives, and bringing together a diverse audience of local, regional and international technology enthusiasts, faculty, students, ICT managers and industry professionals.
        Al Naemi said that the symposium is an opportunity for concerned parties to obtain important information regarding cyber security challenges, noting the existing cooperation between UDST, NCSA, and the Ministry of Transport, as well as other entities whose employees study at the university.
        The President of UDST indicated that UDST conducts numerous research projects addressing the needs of the governmental commercial sector through the Qatar National Research Fund and other global partnerships in the field of cyber security.
​       President of UDST Dr Salem bin Nasser Al Naemi explained, "This event represents collective efforts that aim to discuss and tackle challenges in a world increasingly dependent on digital infrastructure and highlight the importance of cyber security that has emerged as a cornerstone of national and international security." In light of this, he added, the university has been developing robust and comprehensive curricula and research programs that aligned with the State of Qatar's needs and aspirations regarding cyber security.
        He quoted figures that expect that the next five years will see a 15 percent increase in cyber-crime costs  globally reaching USD 10.5 trillion by 2025, with ransomware costing its victims about USD 265 billion annually by 2031, and crypto-currency-related crime costing the world USD 30 billion annually by 2025. Al Naemi concluded that these figures demonstrate cyber-crimes' serious damage to economies, making it imperative to search for better measures to enhance cyber security.
        The President of UDST added, "UDST has been deeply committed to this field, we have been developing curricula and research programs that are not only robust and comprehensive but also aligned with the needs and aspirations of Qatar and its vision for cyber security. We are proud to be partnering with international and local organizations aiming to bridge between academia and industry, following an applied education approach that ensures our students are not only well-versed in theory but also adept in practical applications."
        Dr Al Naemi added that the university's cyber security lab is a testimony to that, whereby it offers students and researchers access to advanced technology for them to deal with real world cyber security challenges.
         He thanked NCSA, UDST's cyber security partner: Palo Alto Networks, and participant speakers and guests who are significantly contributing to the development of the sector.
        Dean of College of Computing and Information Technology Dr. Zakaria Maamar said: "The international symposium is an exciting addition to the education we provide at UDST. We do not simply teach the topic of cyber security as part of a curriculum; we believe in creating fora for discussion and driving important conversations through events such as this." (QNA)