Cairo: Minister of Communications and Information Technology Raafat Hendy attended a significant graduation ceremony for the third cohort of the "Superhero Academy" cybersecurity program. This initiative, organized by the National Telecommunications Institute (NTI) in collaboration with the National Telecom Regulatory Authority's EG-CERT and major tech firms, celebrated the achievements of over 6,000 graduates from across all governorates.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the event took place at NTI headquarters in the Knowledge City, New Administrative Capital. It was attended by prominent figures including ITIDA CEO Engineer Ahmed El-Zaher, Assistant Minister for Digital Transformation Engineer Mahmoud Badawy, and regional heads from companies like Fortinet, Cisco, and F5. Hendy highlighted the growing awareness of cybersecurity among youth and families, emphasizing the government's commitment to developing a secure digital society through skilled future generations.
Hendy pointed out the ministry's focus on cybersecurity amidst rapid digital advancements and AI growth, which presents both opportunities and challenges. He praised the academy's efforts to nurture cybersecurity skills from an early age, urging graduates to continue developing their expertise to support a secure digital ecosystem.
NTI Director Dr. Ahmed Khattab noted curriculum enhancements aligning with industry demands, with practical projects and freelancing opportunities becoming integral parts of the training. Hundreds of graduates have already secured freelance gigs, confirming the program's effectiveness in preparing them for the labor market.
The academy expanded its reach to all 27 governorates, operating through 19 centers in 17 locations. The first stage catered to juniors aged 8 to 17, graduating 4,626 trainees who learned about cybersecurity basics and threats. Top teams from these groups participated in a boot camp, transforming concepts into projects and receiving awards.
The second stage involved 1,324 university students aged 18 to 21, focusing on penetration testing, network security, and cyber operations. After training, 382 students completed freelance tasks, earning over 6,000 dollars collectively. Graduates also received international certifications to enhance their employability.
In the third stage, 227 university graduates with cybersecurity backgrounds specialized in Cloud Security and Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC). All cloud security graduates earned AWS certifications, boosting their job readiness.
To further private sector collaboration, Hendy witnessed the signing of protocols between NTI and various partners to establish training initiatives and launch the Egypt Cyber Heroes Hackathon 2026. Graduates shared their training experiences, highlighting opportunities in freelancing and professional tracks.
The ceremony concluded with Hendy honoring competition winners and outstanding graduates. The event was broadcast live to NTI centers nationwide, allowing graduates and families to participate remotely.