KUWAIT: Kuwait Technical College (ktech) successfully concluded its “Cyberthon by ktech Challenge” event, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, the pioneering national initiative, reaffirming its strong commitment to supporting the digital transformation strategy in the State of Kuwait by building a generation of experts capable of protecting the nation’s digital infrastructure.
The closing ceremony witnessed high-level official attendance. The event concluded in the presence of Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education Mohammed Al-Khaldi, in addition to members of ktech’s Senior Management, including Vice Chairman Board of Trustees at ktech Professor Ayman Al-Zayed and Vice President for Student Affairs and Registration Noura Ayman Boodai. The event featured unprecedented participation from ktech students specializing in cybersecurity, as well as public school students. It also saw wide attendance by leadership figures from the Ministry of Education and representatives from both the public and private sectors.
Beyond education
The current edition of Cyberthon by ktech challenge is the practical embodiment of ktech’s vision, which places cybersecurity at the heart of Kuwait’s national priorities and national security. Amid escalating global cyber threats, the college believes that building cyber capabilities is no longer an academic luxury but a strategic necessity directly intertwined with the sustainability of the digital economy and the protection of the state’s sensitive data. Cybersecurity is considered the first line of defense in the age of digitization, and this security begins with specialized early education.
ktech is committed to being the national incubator for building the next generation of skilled personnel, supporting Kuwait’s new vision in confronting future challenges. In this context, Dr Maha Al-Qallaf, Assistant Professor and Cybersecurity Expert at Kuwait Technical College (ktech), stated: “The success of the Cyberthon by ktech proves that our youth possess both the passion and the capability to become the nation’s first line of digital defense. Our mission at ktech goes beyond teaching curricula; we cultivate a mindset of rapid response, as well as offensive and defensive thinking necessary to protect national assets. Investing in these talents is the most vital investment for a secure and sustainable digital future for Kuwait.”
KUWAIT: Highschool students participate in the Cyberthon by ktech Challenge.
Members of ktech’s Senior Management and Dr Maha Al-Qallaf, Assistant Professor and Cybersecurity Expert ktech (right) attend the event.
ktech honors Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education Mohammed Al-Khaldi.
Team Rootus, which won first place among ktech students, receive their award.
Participants, sponsors, partners and ktech representatives pose for a group photo.
Simulating cyber reality
The training of participants extended over a week to prepare them for the challenge, which was held under the title “Defend the Future.” Activities of the Cyberthon by ktech, which lasted several days, focused on equipping participants with practical skills that reflect the actual demands of the job market in vital sectors, through advanced challenges that included: Threat analysis and ethical penetration testing; protecting vital systems and infrastructure; and crisis management and immediate response to digital attacks.
These challenges were executed in an advanced virtual environment supervised by an elite group of experts, ensuring the graduation of skills capable of critical thinking and decision-making under pressure.
Expanding scope
This year’s edition introduced early training for high school students, who were included for the first time to help build an early knowledge base in cybersecurity. The aim was to provide a clear, specialized path that starts before university study.
The event also featured several institutional partnerships. Middle East Telecommunications Company (Metco) served as the strategic partner responsible for providing the secure infrastructure used in the Cyberthon by ktech challenge. TeKnowledge Company acted as the software knowledge strategic partner, contributing to the design of the challenge’s specialized content. Diamond sponsors Zain Kuwait, Warba Bank and Boutiqaat Company offered logistical support along with financial and technical prizes to encourage national talent.
The program took place under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, reflecting official recognition of ktech’s work to integrate cybersecurity into educational curricula. Winning teams were honored in two categories—ktech students and high school students—and received a range of awards, including exclusive training opportunities in major technology institutions, certified professional certificates and smart devices, as well as financial and in-kind prizes provided by partners and sponsors.
