Delegates Explored ICS Work and Future Collaborations
On February 5, 2024, IUP’s Institute for Cyber Security hosted seven delegates from Iraq as part of the International Visitor Leadership Program through the US Department of State.
IUP President Michael Driscoll, Provost Lara Luetkehans, Dean of Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Steven Hovan, and Mathematical and Computer Sciences Chair Timothy Flowers joined Waleed Farag, director of the IUP Institute for Cyber Security, in welcoming the delegates and representatives from IVLP.
After IUP administrators’ welcome remarks, Farag provided a presentation to all participants that included details on the Institute for Cyber Security's Computer Science-Cybersecurity track degree requirements and curriculum, and current cybersecurity initiatives. When asked to comment on IUP’s involvement with the IVLP, Farag said “We are honored to have been chosen once again to share our insight and strategies for implementing a successful cybersecurity program. It is a testament to the strength of our program that the US Department of State views our initiatives as influential enough to share with other institutions, and we are pleased to continue these collaborative efforts.”
Details on all current initiatives can be found on the Institute for Cyber Security website.
Waleed Farag
This visit is part of the IVLP Cybersecurity and IT Curriculum Development project, which includes the following objectives:
- Provide opportunities to create new partnerships between IKR universities and US universities that offer certifications and cybersecurity degree programs;
- Examine US best practices for curriculum development in the computer networking and cybersecurity fields;
- Explore the role of career development centers in providing workplace skills development and job placement assistance to graduates and alumni; and
- Understand how US universities align their training with private-sector job needs.
The visit concluded with a discussion panel between all participants which focused on best practices for curriculum development, incorporating career development centers into cybersecurity programs, and identifying opportunities for collaboration. Before the delegation departed Indiana, they were given a tour of the new science building, Kopchick Hall.