The University of Dubai (UoD) and Women in Cyber Security Middle East (WiCSME) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch CyberSHE, an innovative bootcamp designed to empower aspiring women in cybersecurity by equipping them with market-ready skills.
The MoU was signed at the University of Dubai campus by Dr. Eesa Mohammed Bastaki, President of UoD, and Dr. Reem Faraj Al-Shammari, Chairperson of WiCSME and a globally recognised thought leader in cybersecurity and digital transformation. The ceremony was attended by key WiCSME UAE leaders, including Irene Corpuz, Heide Young, and Shafeeqa Shakri, alongside Dr. Hussam Al Hamdi, Assistant Professor and Director of the Cyber-Security and Applied Resilience (C-SAR) Centre at UoD.
CyberSHE is a flagship training and enablement initiative under WiCSME’s “She Talks Security” programme. Over the next three years, it aims to build a pipeline of 1,500 trained women cybersecurity professionals across the Middle East, focusing on final-year students and recent graduates with degrees in cybersecurity, IT, computer engineering, and related fields.
The programme provides:
-
Hands-on technical training aligned with industry demands
-
Workplace readiness modules bridging academic and corporate gaps
-
Mentorship from leading cybersecurity professionals
Following the successful pilot cohort in Kuwait in May 2025, CyberSHE will now expand to the UAE, with additional cohorts planned in Oman, Saudi Arabia, and other Arab countries. Each location will host at least 25 students per batch, with a structured roadmap for regional scalability.
The MoU creates a strategic academic partnership between WiCSME and UoD, blending regional community leadership with academic excellence. UoD will play a central role by providing access to cyber labs, the C-SAR Centre, faculty expertise, and academic networks to deliver the programme effectively.
The initiative aligns with the UAE’s Cybersecurity Strategy, which prioritises strengthening digital infrastructure, fostering public-private partnerships, and developing specialised national talent to secure the country’s digital future.
Dr. Reem Faraj Al-Shammari said:
“This partnership with the University of Dubai marks a defining moment for women in the cybersecurity space. Especially, when well-acknowledged inspiring and leading male allies who foster women growth like Dr. Eesa Bastaki is leading such partnership. This reinforces the facts that our societies enriched by our Arabic and Islamic values have been nurturing women empowerment for 1400 years.”
She added:
“CyberSHE is more than just a training program – it represents the power of collective efforts in action to open doors, build careers, and strengthen national cybersecurity through inclusion and innovation.”
Dr. Eesa Mohammed Bastaki commented:
“We are delighted to collaborate with WiCSME to launch CyberSHE in the UAE. WiCSME’s community-driven mission aligns perfectly with our vision to nurture the next generation of cybersecurity leaders and create a more inclusive, skilled, and resilient workforce in the UAE and the region. The UAE, as a digital transformation leader in the region, provides an ideal ecosystem to scale such an initiative.”
Dr. Hussam Al Hamdi added:
“CyberSHE not only addresses the cybersecurity talent gap through focused and inclusive training, but also creates an environment where women entering the field feel genuinely welcomed, supported, and valued. By cultivating this sense of belonging, the program empowers female professionals to grow with confidence, thrive in their careers, and take on leadership roles—while remaining fully aligned with the mission and objectives of the Cyber-Security and Applied Resilience Centre.”
The event featured discussions on programme design, student selection processes, and industry mentor engagement, underscoring the programme’s collaborative mission. The presence of WiCSME UAE leaders, including Irene Corpuz, Heide Young, and Shafeeqa Shakri, highlighted the chapter’s dedication to driving tangible change through practical talent development.
Ms. Priyanka Chatterjee, Head of Operations at WiCSME and CEO of the London School of Cybersecurity, shared remotely:
“True talent development can only happen when the different parts of the society, i.e., academia, industry, and government, come together to create practical pathways for young people, not just for filling roles, but also developing future leaders.”
WiCSME and the University of Dubai will now work closely to finalise programme launch details and engage public and private sector partners to deliver on CyberSHE’s mission.
