The University of Rwanda’s College of Science and Technology is among six African institutes – and 36 globally – set to become the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) centres of excellence for cyber security.

The programme, which begins with this year’s intake in September, aims at curbing cybercrime through capacity building, training trainers and creating awareness regarding cyber crime.

The other six African institutes to host the ITU Centres of Excellence are in Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire and South Africa.

Speaking to The New Times after meeting with the college’s faculty members, yesterday, the Secretary-General of ITU, Zhao Houlin, said the university is well equipped to contribute toward fighting against cybercrimes locally and internationally.

"We are trying to focus on cyber security–one of our latest topics at ITU today. I believe that this university will help us increase our capacity and creating awareness to fight against cybercrimes,” said Zhao.

Last year, ITU called for application for new ITU Centres of Excellence in Cyber Security up to 99 applications world over were received but 36 were successful and six of them were from Africa, including University of Rwanda’s College of Science and Technology, he said.

"This means that the capacity of this University is recognised by ITU as one of the strongest universities we can engage, on the continent, to offer focused training to our experts. I am very optimistic that this cooperation will bring future ICT development to our people,” said Zhao.

James McWha, the vice-chancellor, said the varsity was well positioned to provide required training to produce cyber security experts.

"As the University of Rwanda, we look forward to helping develop a safer ICT sector around the world,” said Prof. McWha.

Prof. McWha said the centre will be specifically focusing on cyber security control, while cooperating with other tertiary institutions across the world, to making internet and ICT network much less vulnerable to attacks and much more useful in the future.

The College of Science and Technology has been a general ITU centre of excellence since 2009.

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