Tampa, Florida, April 8, 2024 – EC-Council announced its 2023 Academia award winning partners and instructors that have had a lasting impact on cybersecurity education and student success. Selected from around 2,000 higher education institutions globally that provide cybersecurity courses, the award recipients comprise a diverse group of institutions and faculty.
Acknowledging Leading Cybersecurity Education Programs
EC-Council’s Academia division supports K-12, community college, and university programs to aid in providing state-of-the-art cybersecurity technologies and opportunities to obtain globally respected industry certifications. Students will gain the knowledge and abilities to safeguard digital assets as a function of these programs, which will help to address the workforce gap in the industry. It is projected that there will be 3.5 million open cybersecurity jobs by 2025 (Source: Cybersecurity Ventures).
In addition to typical classroom instruction, many EC-Council Academia partners impart these skills through Capture-the-Flag competitions, summer camps, clubs and student interest groups, and accelerated training courses. EC-Council’s Academia Partner program supports faculty with the topics and delivery methods that work best for them. These educational institutions have demonstrated agility in response to industry demands, guaranteeing that students acquire the necessary competencies to meet the expectations of modern-day employers.
The 2023 award winning institutions include:
Academia Partner of the Year Award winners:
PSB Academy Pte. Ltd. (APAC)
Synergy Academy (APAC)
The Open University (Europe)
Deakin University (Oceania)
JECRC University (South Asia)
University of Jeddah (Middle East)
Academia Circle of Excellence Award winners:
Adventist University of Central Africa (Africa)
Strathmore University (Africa)
Management Development Institute of Singapore (APAC)
Training Vision Institute (APAC)
Course-Net Indonesia Academy (APAC)
Metrodata Academy (APAC)
Nanyang Polytechnic (APAC)
Ngee Ann Polytechnic (APAC)
Sup de Vinci (Europe)
Birmingham City University (Europe)
ESGI (Europe)
ESAIP (Europe)
REVA University (South Asia)
K L University (South Asia)
Bennett University (South Asia)
Vellore Institute of Technology (South Asia)
Oryx Universal College (Middle East)
Al Ain University (Middle East)
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University (Middle East)
Academia Best Newcomer of the Year Award winners:
Graphic Era Hill University (South Asia)
GITAM (South Asia)
Graphic Era Deemed to be University (South Asia)
Prince Sultan University (Middle East)
These prestigious partners have shown tireless dedication to cybersecurity education and their students. Here is what they had to say about their programs and EC-Council partnership.
“PSB Academy is honoured to be recognised with the prestigious ‘2023 EC-Council Academia Partner of the Year’ award. This recognition from the EC-Council Academic division emphasises our commitment to excellence in cybersecurity education. At PSB Academy, we strive to prepare our students to succeed in the rapidly evolving field of cybersecurity. This award serves as a testimony to the hard work and dedication of our faculty and staff, who continually push boundaries and drive innovation in cybersecurity education. We extend our sincere gratitude to EC-Council for this honour and recognition. It inspires us to continue our efforts in delivering excellence in cybersecurity education and empowering the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.“
Dr. Balamurugan Karuppiah, Director, School of Engineering and Technology, PSB Academy.
“The Systems Penetration Testing module team at The Open University (OU) are delighted and deeply appreciative to have been honoured with the prestigious EC-Council Academia Partner of the Year 2023 award. This recognition underscores our team’s successful integration of the CEH programme into our dedicated distance learning educational environment. This accolade is a testament to our unwavering commitment to delivering a transformative learning experience, equipping OU students with the essential skills and knowledge to excel in the dynamic field of cybersecurity. Implementing the CEH program has been instrumental in fostering a robust learning capability that aligns with our mission to provide high-quality education to a wide range of learners. I am proud to lead a team dedicated to innovation, inclusivity, and the pursuit of excellence. This award serves as recognition of our collective efforts to provide distance learning cybersecurity education to empower our students for success.”
Lee Campbell, Module Chair of Systems Penetration Testing (TM359) at The Open University, UK.
“JECRC University is committed to rigorously training students in the field of cybersecurity and making a difference in the dynamic workforce. Through our partnership with EC-Council, the students at JECRC University can choose to undergo certifications from an array of contemporary courses in the domain of cybersecurity.”
Mr. Arpit Agrawal, Vice Chairperson, JECRC University.
“The Department of Cybersecurity at College of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Jeddah is a proud winner of 2023 EC-Council Academia Partner of the Year Award. In the light of the Kingdom’s vision of 2030, we strive to become a center of excellence in cybersecurity. We have partnered with EC-Council to educate and train our students using state-of-the-art curricula while deploying the latest tools and technology for hands-on training. Scientific rigor, philosophy, knowledge, and training on the cutting-edge technologies merge at our department to produce the best generation of the future cybersecurity professionals.”
Amjad Mohammed Qashlan, Assistant Professor and Deputy Head of Cybersecurity Department, College of Computer Science and Engineering, Jeddah University.
“Receiving the EC-Council 2023 Academia Circle of Excellence Award is a source of immense pride for us. EC-Council courses allows our students to apply their skills in real-world scenarios, not only preparing them for the certification exam but also establishing a robust foundation in cybersecurity principles and practices. Those enrolled in the courses benefit from a well-rounded curriculum that addresses both theory and hands-on practice. Recognized globally and esteemed by industry leaders, EC-Council grants credibility and acknowledgment to certified individuals.”
Dr. Jayakumar Sadhasivam, Professor and Placement Co-ordinator, Department of Software Systems, School of Computer Science and Engineering (SCOPE), Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT).
“We are absolutely delighted to be able to achieve this award second year running and immensely proud of our ongoing partnership with EC-Council. This partnership represents the ethos of our teaching and learning practice, enabling us to continuously update our curriculum and stay at the forefront of the cybersecurity industry. It empowers our graduates to be at the cutting-edge of this industry and therefore supporting their ability to secure employment in this field.”
Professor Junaid Arshad, Deputy Head of Computing, Birmingham City University.
“This recognition truly reflects our unwavering dedication to fostering excellence and innovation in emerging technologies including cybersecurity. It reaffirms our focus on providing exceptional academic programs and resources for our learners with the support of global partners like EC-Council. At REVA University, we truly embrace best-in-class technologies, dynamic learning environments, delivering top-quality education to responsible future leaders in our increasingly tech-driven world.”
Dr. P. Shyama Raju, Honourable Chancellor of REVA University.
“We are honoured to be recognized with the Academia Circle of Excellence Award by EC-Council. This prestigious accolade reaffirms our continuous dedication to providing top-tier education in cybersecurity. Our participants have wholeheartedly embraced the courses, curriculum, simulated labs and tools provided by EC Council. It serves as a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation in preparing students for the dynamic challenges in the cybersecurity world.”
Dr. Shinu Abhi, Director, Corporate Training at REVA Academy for Corporate Excellence, REVA University.
“KL University is extremely delighted to receive the prestigious ‘Academia Circle of Excellence Award 2023’. The CEH course seamlessly blends KL University’s academic excellence with EC-Council’s industry-leading expertise, providing a practical understanding of ethical hacking and cybersecurity. The instructors are highly knowledgeable and also passionate about cybersecurity, creating an engaging learning environment.”
Dr. Balasubramani S, Assistant Professor, KL University.
“Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University is pleased to receive this prestigious EC-Council award. Our students have benefitted from this association from the globally recognised certifications EC-Council offers, like CEH, with practical hands-on learning enabling them to acquire internships and jobs in the Saudi market.”
Abdullah M. Almuhaideb, Dean, College of Computer Science and Information Technology, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University.
“It is with immense pride that we acknowledge the selection of GITAM (Deemed to be University) for the ‘2023 Academic Best Newcomer’ Award by EC-Council. As an EC-Council certified trainer, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the impact of EC-Council’s training programs on cybersecurity professionals worldwide. The curriculum provided by EC-Council is meticulously crafted to address the most pressing cybersecurity challenges, equipping students with practical skills and knowledge that they can immediately apply in their roles. As an EC-Council trainer, I take pride in empowering individuals to enhance their cybersecurity expertise and make a meaningful impact in their organizations. I wholeheartedly recommend EC-Council’s training programs to anyone looking to advance their career in cybersecurity.”
Sandeep Varma, Assistant Professor, GITAM (Deemed to be University).
“I on behalf of entire Graphic Era Hill University would like to thank EC-Council management and selection committee for awarding the prestigious 2023 ‘EC-Council Academia Best Newcomer Award’! I hope this association will go a long way, and together we will work for the excellent careers of our students in the field of Cybersecurity and related areas.”
Saumitra Chattopadhyay, Assistant Professor, Graphic Era Hill University.
Recognizing Leading Cybersecurity Faculty
Higher education institutions would not exist without dedicated faculty members. At EC-Council, we honor these faculty members for their significant contributions to the cybersecurity community and their work with those seeking to learn. Selected from approximately 2,000 partnered institutions, Instructor Award recipients are selected based on the nominee’s impact on teaching, an assessment of their instruction, student experiences, leadership, and engagement with the cybersecurity community at large.
The 2023 award winning instructors include:
Academia Instructor of the Year Award winners:
Kelvin Wu of PSB Academy Pte Ltd (APAC)
Bramli Nathan of Sup de Vinci (Europe)
Basil Alothman of Kuwait College of Science and Technology (Middle East)
Mohd Abdul Rahim Khan of Majmaah University (Middle East)
Academia Instructor Circle of Excellence Award winners:
Samuel Andi Kristyan of Institut Teknologi Bandung (APAC)
Erna Piantari of Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia (APAC)
William Williams of Course-Net Indonesia Academy (APAC)
Tan Boon Leing of PSB Academy Pte Ltd (APAC)
Quentin Francheteau of IT-Gnosis (Europe)
Anthony Baube of IT-Gnosis (Europe)
Akash Thakar of Rashtriya Raksha University (South Asia)
Sherif Kamel Hussein of Arab East Colleges (Middle East)
The honored instructors shared their thoughts regarding their awards. These instructors have shown innovation in approach, and their unwavering commitment to their students was clear from their statements.
“I am sincerely grateful to EC-Council for the incredible honor of receiving the Academia Instructor Circle of Excellence Award. This recognition not only validates my commitment to cybersecurity education but also highlights the exceptional standards upheld by EC-Council. Being a part of this esteemed circle has not only enhanced my professional journey but has connected me with a community of passionate educators dedicated to excellence. The resources and support provided by EC-Council have been invaluable, and this award serves as a powerful motivator to continue striving for excellence in cybersecurity education. I am truly honored to be a part of the EC-Council community and look forward to contributing further to our shared mission.”
Dr. Akash Thakar, Assistant Professor, and Center Head – Cyber Crime Investigation, School of Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security, Rashtriya Raksha University.
“I am excited to be honoured with the prestigious academic award for 2023 Academic Instructor Circle of Excellence from EC-Council. EC-Council’s programs have had a significant impact on Arab East College’s students’ learning journey and enabling them to get ready for the Job Market in KSA. We have focused on adopting the three foundational courses (NDE, EHE, DFE) in our Bachelor’s of Cybersecurity track and the core programs (CND, CEH, CHFI) in the master’s level. Thank you for acknowledging our efforts and enabling our students to get ready for cyber careers.”
Dr. Sherif Kamel, Associate Professor, Arab East Colleges.
EC-Council Academia recognizes outstanding instructors and programs annually through the EC-Council Academia Partner Awards. We congratulate the winners for their excellent programs and for being chosen for their awards. EC-Council is grateful to collaborate with such committed faculty and staff, and they are sure that their efforts have improved the cybersecurity community.
About EC-Council Academia
EC-Council, the inventor of Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification course and exam, has a mission to provide Cybersecurity education and certifications to students across the world to prepare them for their future careers. Founded in 2001, EC-Council offers over 200 different training programs and certifications – ranging from End-User Security to highly technical Penetration Testing to Information Security Management, and many other tactical courses. Recognized under the US Department of Defense 8140/8570 and an ISO/IEC 17024 Accredited Organization, EC-Council holds these and many other distinctions and accreditations by prestigious agencies worldwide – making EC-Council’s certification programs highly desirable and valued within the cybersecurity global communities.
The EC-Council Academia partner program offers free partnership opportunities to academic institutions globally. These partnerships establish cybersecurity ecosystems through education that support students, alumni, faculty, employees, and the local communities at large. Through established partnerships, academic institutions can access extensive discounts on learning resources, technologies, and certifications, offering students opportunities to obtain stackable credentials to become more competitive as they enter the workforce. The program also focuses on initiating faculty development, scholarships, and cyber competitions. To date, EC-Council supports upwards of 2,000 education networks and institutions globally. EC-Council Academia works with academic institutions at all levels, including over 175 National Centers of Academic Excellences (N-CAEs) as designated by the National Security Agency, contributing to certify tens of thousands of students annually with industry-leading credentials. For more information on EC-Council Academia, please visit dev-staging.eccouncil.org/academia.
