25.10.2024 – GTU Press and Public Relations Office

The Turkcell Academy UniBounty training program, organized jointly by Gebze Technical University’s (GTU) School of Cybersecurity and Faculty of Science, was held on October 23, 2024, at the GTU Congress and Culture Center with a strong turnout. Many students aspiring to enter the field of cybersecurity gathered in the Red Hall to receive critical insights and hands-on training from leading experts.

Industry Collaboration in Education

The event’s opening speech was given by GTU Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Mahmut Durmuş, who emphasized the critical importance of cybersecurity for both governments and the private sector. Prof. Durmuş highlighted that, unlike other defense areas, cybersecurity requires joint efforts from both state and private entities. He underscored the importance of GTU's School of Cybersecurity, explaining that industry partnerships are essential to delivering more effective education.

Prof. Dr. Mahmut Durmuş continued his speech by stating:

The Importance of Domestic Software: “I believe that cybersecurity should be managed with domestic software and our experts. Relying on foreign resources in this field presents significant risks. If control of critical cybersecurity infrastructure is external, there is always the risk of not being able to use these systems as desired. We must address this need with our in-house software and trained personnel”

Incorporating Feedback: “In this regard, industry partners like Turkcell have been instrumental. They have especially supported us in developing our curriculum and fulfilling our hardware needs. They understand industry needs best, and we integrate this feedback into our academic framework to prepare our students for the industry. That’s why collaboration with the sector is crucial for us.”

Gratitude to Stakeholders

In his welcoming remarks, the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Science and the Director of the School of Cybersecurity, Prof. Dr. Oğul Esen, expressed his appreciation for the high interest from students and Turkcell’s contributions. He wished for a productive event and thanked everyone involved.

From Basics to Applications

In the first session of the training, experts from Turkcell Academy presented fundamental security concepts under “Cybersecurity 101.” Subsequent sessions provided in-depth knowledge and practical exercises on application security. During this full-day program, participants learned how to detect cybersecurity vulnerabilities and had the opportunity to engage in testing exercises.

Award-Winning Competition

An award-winning competition held at the end of the training provided enjoyable moments for the students. Winners received various gifts, and all participants were awarded certificates by Turkcell Academy.

Participating students expressed their satisfaction with the knowledge they gained in cybersecurity and the career opportunities it opened up for them in the field.

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