Abu Dhabi, UAE
Two students from the C-ST&R (Cybersecurity Training & Readiness program) at the University of Dubai achieved a remarkable 2nd place finish at the Abu Dhabi Polytechnic (ADPOLY) Cybersecurity Hackathon 2025, a prestigious event that brought together top-tier cybersecurity talent from across the UAE.
The hackathon was held in the presence of Dr. Mohamed Alkuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, and attracted over 250 registered students, with 178 completing the qualifiers and only 45 advancing to the final stage.
Representing University of Dubai, Yassmeen Walweel and Marwan Saeed competed against teams from institutions such as Abu Dhabi University and Zayed University. Their outstanding performance under pressure, combined with critical thinking and technical skill, secured them a strong second-place victory.
The students were supported throughout the journey by the Cybersecurity and Applied Resilience (C-SAR) department. Under the leadership of Dr. Hussam Al Hammadi, the department continues to mentor and empower students to excel in national and international cybersecurity challenges.
Organized by CyberGate Defense, the hackathon featured real-world cybersecurity scenarios and hands-on technical challenges, aiming to translate academic knowledge into practical application. The competition reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen the UAE’s cybersecurity talent pipeline and foster industry readiness among emerging professionals.
