The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Nagoya University in Japan have established the Women’s Undergraduate Cybersecurity Engagement Program. The program is organized by the Office of the Vice Provost for Global Affairs and funded by the U.S. Embassy Tokyo Public Affairs Section.
Seven female students from Nagoya University traveled to Chapel Hill this fall for interactive workshops led by faculty and participated in a site visit with the North Carolina Cybersecurity Task Force. Seven women Carolina students visited Nagoya University this month to explore technical aspects of cybersecurity. Working in teams, they defended against a hacking threat in a cybersecurity simulation.
“Our goal was to create a program that not only has valuable learning opportunities but also allows students to network, socialize and share experiences because that’s how they build lasting relationships,” said Tim Rose, associate director for UNC Global Affairs sponsored and exchange programs.
The women participating in this program represent diverse cultural backgrounds and fields of study beyond computer and data science, including engineering, medicine and nursing. “Cybersecurity is not just a technical problem. It’s also a political and business problem that affects everyone,” said Rose. “This program goes beyond just educating students about cybersecurity. It brings women from allied nations together to work towards a greater goal.”