Expanding the Frontiers of Cybersecurity Education in Africa

OPSWAT Academy is further strengthening its presence in Africa by forging another strategic partnership, this time with the United Methodist University (UMU) in Liberia. This collaboration aims to offer recent and relevant Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) cybersecurity knowledge and skills to both teachers and students, significantly enhancing the University’s cybersecurity offerings.
Through its $10 Million Scholarship Program, OPSWAT Academy will equip UMU with a comprehensive, up-to-date curriculum, extensive training, and a wealth of resources. This initiative aims to enhance UMU's capabilities, enabling it to develop specialized expertise in identifying, understanding, and solving emerging cybersecurity threats and solutions.

Expanding our scholarship program to more universities in Africa is crucial. The region's rapidly growing tech landscape demands skilled cybersecurity professionals to protect its digital future. By partnering with the United Methodist University, we’re investing in the local talent pool, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge to address cybersecurity challenges effectively.

Irfan Shakeel

VP of Training and Certification Services, OPSWAT

We’re happy to be partnering with the OPSWAT Academy Scholarship Program for the provision of cybersecurity education at the United Methodist University. We’re excited that this partnership will build the capacity of students and professionals in the applications of cybersecurity tools, and skills as well as prepare them for the digital era and job market. We believe that this partnership would not only strengthen ties between UMU and OPSWAT Academy but also contribute to advancing knowledge in cybersecurity within Liberia. We envision continuous collaboration and training to maintain and expand the cybersecurity program, aligning with our medium-term goal of transitioning from a certificate program to a full-fledged bachelor's degree program at the University.

Melvin Inertia Soclo

Associate Dean, ICT College, UMU, Liberia

About the United Methodist University

The United Methodist University is a private institution of higher learning in Monrovia, Liberia, owned by the Liberia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. It enrolls over 5,000 students across six campuses throughout the country. UMU is accredited by the National Commission on Higher Education of the Republic of Liberia and is affiliated with the General Board of Higher Education and the Ministry of the United Methodist Church. It stands as the sole institution of higher learning under the United Methodist Church within the West Africa Central Conference.

The Department of Information Technology was established at UMU in 2012 and elevated to its current status in March 2022 by the University’s Faculty Senate. It offers two academic programs: a BSc in Information Technology (IT) and a BSc in Telecommunications and Information Engineering.

UMU is the first in Liberia to offer a bachelor’s degree in IT, with over fifteen years of experience in the field. It has produced more IT graduates than any other university in Liberia. Thanks to its practical teaching approach and the strong performance of its graduates, the University boasts the highest employability rate in the IT sector, with many graduates working as professionals in both the public and private sectors in Liberia and abroad.

About OPSWAT Academy

OPSWAT Academy is at the forefront of Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) cybersecurity training, delivering essential education to both individuals and organizations globally. With a commitment to equipping cybersecurity professionals with the skills necessary to protect crucial infrastructure, the Academy actively works to bridge the cybersecurity skills gap through its innovative training initiatives.