University of West Florida and Jikei College Group address global cybersecurity workforce shortage with new partnership

UWF and Jikei College Group established an educational partnership in 1989, providing American and Japanese students with opportunities to learn about each other’s country. The new agreement promotes educational collaboration in cybersecurity, which will benefit students and strengthen workforce development in the growing cybersecurity industry. The partnership includes cooperative education through the exchange of information on curricular and instructional materials, collaboration with the Center for Cybersecurity on industry events and training, and additional study abroad and faculty exchange programs.

“As UWF looks beyond our successful cyber coast and thinks globally, a partnership with Jikei College Group makes sense for addressing the critical shortage of cybersecurity professionals we’re seeing on an international scale,” said UWF President Martha D. Saunders. “The UWF Center for Cybersecurity and Jikei College Group can leverage our unique educational strengths and secure the future on both sides of the globe.”

The partnership agreement joins a number of established UWF Center for Cybersecurity initiatives that position the University as an international cyber hub. Existing resources include Cybersecurity for All and Florida Cyber Range, which equip organizations with cybersecurity education and training through a state-of-the-art platform. In addition, UWF serves as the Centers of Academic Excellence Regional Resource Center for the Southeast as designated by the National Security Agency and U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

UWF provides cybersecurity education and training during a critical time. By 2021 there will be an estimated $6 trillion in cybercrime damages and 3.5 million unfilled jobs, according to Cybersecurity Ventures, a provider of data and analytics for the industry. Dr. Eman El-Sheikh, UWF Center for Cybersecurity director, recognizes the effort needed in addressing a global issue.

“In joining forces we bolster cybersecurity workforce development across the globe,” El-Sheikh said. “We look forward to expanding collaborations to develop and disseminate best practices in cybersecurity education and training and expand the pool of qualified professionals for evolving cybersecurity work roles.”

The Jikei Group of Collegesis a system of professional training colleges and support companies located throughout Japan. Each and every school, company and organization within the Jikei Group is dedicated to providing professional education based on the strong belief that professional training colleges are educational institutions for mastering the practical skills and knowledge that will most benefit society.

For more information about the UWF Center for Cybersecurity, visit uwf.edu/cybersecurity. For more information about the Jikei Group of Colleges, visit uwf.edu/asianstudies.