​As an answer to the increasing demand for highly trained cybersecurity professionals in the run up to the year 2030 and the establishment of a knowledge-based society, the Community College of Qatar (CCQ) is currently preparing for the graduation of the country’s first batch of students carrying a bachelor’s degree in Cyber and Network Security. The academically qualified aspiring professionals are eyed for a leading role in protecting the nationwide ICT infrastructure that will help facilitate Qatar’s anticipated socioeconomic transformation.

Having placed ICT development at the top of its priorities, the government of Qatar has taken several steps to build a smart digital infrastructure that can help achieve the objectives of the country’s national vision by powering its augmented healthcare services, technology-assisted learning environments, modernized business models, and environmentally sound technologies, among other enhanced outcomes.

CCQ President Dr. Mohamed Al-Naemi stressed that the sheer volume of data transmitted through such a massive interconnected network requires coordinated efforts in order to protect and secure. Elaborating on the idea, he said:
“On the national level, it is vitally important to capture the opportunities that a sophisticated digital infrastructure presents, while mitigating its inherent risks. A key note here is that national cybersecurity not only entails policies that safeguard IT systems, but also the technological resources and skilled personnel instrumental for their implementation. And this is exactly why CCQ developed the BS in Information Technology-Cyber and Network Security program; to secure this massive digital asset of Qatar.”

Following up on the president’s remarks, the College’s Chair of the Information Technology Academic Department Dr. Mohammed Al-Dorani said:
“Through courses and practical lab sessions that cover a wide range of information-security related topics, the program equips students to analyze real-life scenarios, design network security and develop effective security policies. Remarkably, since we started accepting students in 2015, the College’s IT academic programs have captured the interest of more than 200 students. With that, our next graduation ceremony will introduce to the country’s workforce the first batch of students to hold a bachelor’s degree in Cyber and Network Security in Qatar.”

Dorani’s remarks came on the sidelines of the launch of his second published book titled “Cyber War: Qatar Blockade - GCC Countries”, which examines how Cyberwar has spelled into all nations within the Middle East and the impact of cyber-attacks on national infrastructures.

On the insights she gained from the program, Ms. Dhabya Al-Naimi said: “Digital technologies practically run the world today and any compromise in their security can become very problematic. With that said, studying this domain in depth has been nothing short of fascinating, and my practical training at Qatar Computing Research Institute added another key dimension to my learning experience as I had the chance to work with various stakeholders in the industry”.

Ms. Fatimaezzahra Harim, who was a national finalist in last year’s Huawei ICT Competition in China, said that she immediately enrolled in the program once registration opened. According to her, studying network fundamentals and information security auditing was the most exciting part. Regarding her aspirations after graduation, Fatimaezzahra said: “I would definitely love to contribute to Qatar’s digital transformation and apply the skills I’ve gained at the College, in the real world”.

In addition to the BS in Information Technology-Cyber and Network Security program, in which Dhabya and Fatimaezzahra are enrolled, CCQ offers a two-year Associate of Science in Information Technology, as well as a 2+2 BS in Information Technology-Network and Systems Administration. The College’s IT academic programs provide students with the latest knowledge and practical skills to support the IT needs of all organizations in Qatar.