The First EIT-Supported “Cybershield Innovators” Project, Conducted Under the Coordination of İGÜ, Reached 1,205 Participants from 22 Countries

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture - mmf@gelisim.edu.tr

For your satisfaction and suggestions İGÜMER

Faculty of Engineering and Architecture - mmf@gelisim.edu.tr

19 August 2025 Tuesday

The First EIT-Supported “Cybershield Innovators” Project, Conducted Under the Coordination of İGÜ, Reached 1,205 Participants from 22 Countries

The cyber security training project entitled “Cybershield Innovators: Pioneering the Future of Digital Security,” coordinated by Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) and supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), attracted great interest from both Turkey and around the world.

Within the scope of the project, 180 students from 47 different universities in 22 European countries, 968 students from 141 different universities in Turkey, and 57 students from different high schools in Turkey participated, reaching a total of 1,205 participants and creating a broad-based and inclusive education ecosystem in the field of digital security.

Intense Interest Across Europe: 47 Universities from 22 Countries

The project attracted participants from many countries, including Romania (47), Hungary (28), Albania (20), North Macedonia (17), Georgia (16), and Germany (15). Applications were also received from countries such as the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Estonia, and Lithuania, demonstrating the program's international appeal. This project, which is the first cybersecurity education project in Turkey to receive EIT support, also attracted attention for its international impact.

Universities with the Highest Participation from Abroad:

Country	University
Germany	University of Bamberg
	Hochschule Aalen
	RWTH Aachen Technische Universität
	Stuttgart University
Hungary	Kodolanyi Janos University
Hungary	Pannon Egyetem
Romania	Polytechnic University of Bucharest
	National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest
	Sapientia Hungarian University of Transylvania
Poland	Uniwersytet Szczeciński
Poland	University of Gdańsk
United Kingdom	University of Liverpool
United Kingdom	Wales University
USA	University of Missouri
Albania	Universum International College
Georgia	International Black Sea University
Kosovo	University of Business and Technology-UBT
North Macedonia	University of American College Skopje
Lithuania	Klaipėdos valstybinė kolegija
Bosnia and Herzegovina	University of Sarajevo
Montenegro	University of Montenegro
Bulgaria	Technical University - Varna

Great Interest from Across Turkey: Over 60 Cities, 141 Universities

The “Cybershield Innovators” project achieved an unprecedented educational success in Turkey, attracting high levels of participation not only from major cities but also from all corners of Anatolia. With participants from many different cities, from Istanbul to Elazığ, Konya to Düzce, the project reached students from 141 universities and over 60 cities.

Turkish Universities with the Highest Participation:

İstanbul Gelişim University	Ondokuz Mayıs University
Fırat University	Middle East Technical University
Istanbul University	Akdeniz University
İstanbul Aydın University	Gebze Technical University
İstanbul Medipol University	İskenderun Technical University
Bahçeşehir University	İstanbul University - Cerrahpaşa
Anadolu University	Marmara University
Erciyes University	Trakya University
Gazi University	İzmir Instute of Technology
Karadeniz Technival University	Yeditepe University
Bursa Uludağ University	Boğaziçi University
Hacettepe University	Ege University
Ankara University	Kocaeli University
Atatürk University	Koç University
Bilkent University	Yıldız Technical University
Çukurova University	Sivas Cumhuriyet University

These data show that the project has increased its effectiveness not only in central cities but also in different regions of Turkey, successfully achieving its goal of equal access.

Prof. Bahri Şahin: “Knowledge Everywhere with Istanbul Gelişim University”

Prof. Bahri Şahin, Rector of Istanbul Gelişim University, made the following comments about the project:

"The Cybershield Innovators project is a concrete product of our university's vision of digitalization and globalization. The Cybershield Innovators project has not only provided technical education but also set an exemplary model in terms of inclusive development and cross-cultural interaction. With the participation of students from 141 universities in Turkey and 47 universities in Europe, this project has made significant contributions to our country's and university's international mission."

30% Female Participation Rate: Inclusion at the Forefront

In addition to promoting digital literacy, the project also set the promotion of women in STEM fields as one of its primary goals. The fact that the 30% female participation target was largely achieved was considered a significant achievement in terms of gender balance and inclusion.

Prof. Necmettin Maraşlı: “This is Not Just an Education Project, but a Cross-Cultural Dialogue Project”

Prof. Necmettin Maraşlı, Vice Rector for Research and Development, had the following to say about the project:

"Participant diversity increased the accessibility and reliability of the project. In addition to students from all regions of Turkey, interactions were established with young talents from a wide range of regions, from the heart of Europe to the Balkans and from the Balkans to the Caucasus. This is not just an education program; it is also a cross-cultural dialogue project.”

The Path to the Digital Future Passes Through Development

“Cybershield Innovators,” the first cybersecurity training project in Turkey supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), stands out with its structure that prioritizes cultural diversity, inclusivity, and regional equality beyond technical competence. Beyond the training modules, the project contributes to participants' career journeys and stands out as a multi-dimensional EIT project rooted in global awareness, equality, and the spirit of collaboration.

İGÜ’nün Koordinatörlüğünde Yürütülen İlk EIT Destekli “Cybershield Innovators” Projesi 22 Ülkeden 1205 Katılımcıya Ulaştı

News

All News

The Most Advanced Wind Tunnel Among Foundation Universities Opened at Istanbul Gelisim University

Istanbul Gelisim University has launched the Subsonic Wind Tunnel Project, which features the most advanced specifications among foundation universities. The project was developed through the ...

27 August Wednesday Read