PRESS RELEASE C-ST&R Students Win 2nd Place at ADPOLY Cybersecurity Hackathon 2025 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.

PRESS RELEASE BugLoud x C-SAR | University of Dubai Cybersecurity Competition Empowers Future Talent Dubai, UAE The University of Dubai recently hosted an advanced cybersecurity competition in collaboration with BugLoud and the IEEE UAE Section as part of the prestigious IEEE Student Day 2025 – UAE Section. Held under the leadership of the University’s C-SAR (Cybersecurity and Applied Resilience) department, the event challenged participants with real-world cybersecurity scenarios, encouraging analytical thinking, technical skill, and effective teamwork. The competition provided an experiential platform for students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings, further preparing them for careers in cybersecurity and resilience. Students from across the UAE competed in a series of hands-on tasks designed to simulate contemporary threats and defense strategies in digital systems. These challenges tested participants’ skills in areas such as network defense, threat analysis, ethical hacking, and incident response. A standout team from the University of Dubai—comprising Shahed Anara, Majed Al Meshari, Marwan Saeed, and Mhd Nazir Sagherji—emerged as winners, demonstrating exceptional technical proficiency and collaborative problem-solving. The event served as a key highlight of IEEE Student Day 2025, emphasizing the critical importance of academic-industry collaboration in preparing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

PRESS RELEASE University of Dubai Wins 2nd Place at DESC’s GISEC Global Cyber Defense CTF Dubai, UAE The C-SAR Center at the University of Dubai extends its heartfelt congratulations to the student team who achieved 2nd place at the GISEC GLOBAL 2025 Cyber Defense CTF Competition, hosted by the Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) in collaboration with Techfirm and AMD. The University of Dubai team — proudly competing under the name “Rage Quitters” — consisted of: Yassmeen Walweel Marwan Saeed Shahed Wael Anara Mhd Nazir Sagherji Hadia Rahmani With guidance and support from Dr. Hussam Al Hammadi,  and the C-SAR Center, the team demonstrated exceptional performance across a series of real-world cybersecurity challenges designed to test both technical acumen and strategic thinking under pressure. This competition, held during GISEC Global — one of the region’s most influential cybersecurity events — brought together top-tier university talent from across the UAE to compete in a high-stakes, live cyber range. Initiatives like this play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of cybersecurity leaders. Through competitions like GISEC CTF, students sharpen their problem-solving abilities, collaborate under pressure, and apply theoretical knowledge to real-world digital threats. C-SAR proudly recognizes the efforts of the organizing partners, DESC, Techfirm, and AMD, for creating this outstanding platform for experiential learning. Events like these not only build competence but also inspire resilience, confidence, and a commitment to securing the future. We congratulate Team Rage Quitters on their success and look forward to seeing them take on new cybersecurity challenges ahead.  

PRESS RELEASE C-ST&R Students from University of Dubai Achieve 3rd Place at Abu Dhabi University CTF Competition Al Ain, UAE The C-SAR Center at the University of Dubai is proud to celebrate another remarkable achievement by its cybersecurity students, who earned 3rd place at the Capture The Flag (CTF) competition hosted by Abu Dhabi University in Al Ain. The competition brought together over 250 participants from across the UAE, challenging students to solve a wide range of cybersecurity scenarios under time pressure. Representing the University of Dubai, the competing team consisted of: Yassmeen Walweel Marwan Saeed Mhd Nazir Sagherji Alongside the winners, we also extend our sincere appreciation to our other dedicated participants who demonstrated strong cybersecurity capabilities and team spirit Katayoun Rafat, Yordanos Aderaw and Shahed Wael Anara The team competed with confidence, collaboration, and technical precision, under the mentorship of Dr. Hussam Al Hammadi. Their outstanding performance distinguished them among a competitive field of participants and secured them a well-earned spot on the winners’ podium. Competitions like this provide students with invaluable real-world experience, challenging them to apply technical knowledge to practical scenarios involving system exploitation, digital investigation, and secure coding — all in a timed environment. C-SAR extends heartfelt thanks to Exploit3rs, Anxinsec Technology, and Abu Dhabi University for organizing this dynamic and inclusive event. Their efforts in supporting young cybersecurity talent are crucial to building a stronger digital future. We congratulate all our students for their hard work, commitment, and representation of the University of Dubai at such a high level. We look forward to many more accomplishments in the field of cybersecurity.

PRESS RELEASE University of Dubai Organizes C-ST&R CTF Competition Powered by RedTeam Hacker Academy: Celebrating the Champions of Cybersecurity Dubai, UAE The University of Dubai proudly recognizes Shahed Wael Anara, Mohamed Nazir Sagherji, and Marwan Saeed Salmeen as the C-ST&R Champions following their outstanding performance in the Capture The Flag (CTF) competition held at University of Dubai campus, powered by RedTeam Hacker Academy. Demonstrating exceptional cybersecurity skills, strategic thinking, and technical expertise, the champions successfully tackled complex challenges in ethical hacking, digital forensics, and threat analysis. Their achievement highlights the University of Dubai’s commitment to fostering top-tier cybersecurity talent through the Cyber-Security Training & Readiness (C-ST&R) program, which equips students with hands-on experience and industry-driven training. This victory not only showcases the dedication and expertise of UD students but also strengthens the university’s position as a leader in cybersecurity education. Their success is a testament to the impact of the C-SAR Center and its collaboration with industry partners like RedTeam Hacker Academy in shaping the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. The University of Dubai congratulates the champions and looks forward to continued excellence in cybersecurity training, research, and competition.

PRESS RELEASE University of Dubai and CyberGate Defense Sign MoU to Advance Cybersecurity Training and Research Dubai, UAE  The University of Dubai has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CyberGate Defense, marking a major step forward in cybersecurity research and training. This collaboration, established under the Cybersecurity and Applied Resilience Center (C-SAR), aims to enhance hands-on learning opportunities for students while driving cutting-edge research in the field. Through this partnership, CEIT students will gain access to advanced cybersecurity platforms designed to strengthen their technical expertise and practical knowledge. Additionally, CyberGate experts will collaborate with C-SAR researchers to develop an innovative indoor cybersecurity training platform integrating Digital Twins technology and Gamified Learning Theory. This initiative is set to redefine cybersecurity education and professional training. By bridging the gap between academia and industry, this partnership ensures that students and researchers are equipped with the latest tools and methodologies to address real-world cybersecurity challenges

PRESS RELEASE University of Dubai and Exordium Partner to Advance Cybersecurity Training and Research Dubai, UAE  The University of Dubai has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Exordium, strengthening research, training, and industry collaboration at the Cybersecurity and Applied Resilience (C-SAR) Center. This partnership will equip students from the College of Engineering and IT with hands-on cybersecurity skills, focusing on Bug Bounty techniques—an essential tool in modern cybersecurity. Through specialized training and real-world simulations, students will gain expertise in ethical hacking, vulnerability assessment, and threat mitigation, preparing them for the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape. Additionally, the collaboration will provide Master of Science in Cyber Security (MSCS) students with access to AI-driven datasets for their thesis research, fostering innovation at the intersection of AI and cybersecurity. A special thanks to Exordium for their commitment to shaping the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. This partnership marks a significant step in strengthening cyber resilience and driving impactful research in the field.

PRESS RELEASE University of Dubai Joins Forces with RedTeam Hacker Academy to Strengthen Cybersecurity Education Dubai, UAE The University of Dubai has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RedTeam Hacker Academy, marking a new chapter in advancing cybersecurity education and training. This partnership reinforces the university’s commitment to equipping students with cutting-edge knowledge and practical experience in the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape. As a strategic partner of the Cybersecurity and Applied Resilience Center (C-SAR), RedTeam Hacker Academy will collaborate in developing customized cybersecurity workshops, specialized training programs, and high-level competitions. This initiative is set to provide students with industry-driven training, real-world attack and defense simulations, and direct engagement with cybersecurity professionals. Through this collaboration, UD students—particularly those involved in the Cyber-Security Training & Readiness (C-ST&R) project—will benefit from hands-on experiences that bridge the gap between academia and industry. By integrating practical skills with theoretical knowledge, the partnership aims to cultivate a new generation of cybersecurity professionals prepared to tackle real-world challenges. The University of Dubai extends its appreciation to RedTeam Hacker Academy for their commitment to fostering excellence in cybersecurity education. This partnership is expected to drive impactful initiatives that contribute to the future of cyber resilience and defense.

PRESS RELEASE C-SAR Celebrates Successful Partnership in the 1st UAE Cybersecurity Challenge Dubai, UAE  C-SAR proudly announces its role as the technical partner for the inaugural UAE Cybersecurity Challenge, held at the University of Dubai. This landmark event united participants from academia, government, and industry, creating a dynamic environment for collaboration and innovation in cybersecurity. As a technical partner, C-SAR members actively contributed to the evaluation of participants’ insights and solutions within the cybersecurity domain.  The challenge highlighted the talent and creativity of students, providing them with an invaluable opportunity to tackle real-world cybersecurity issues. The efforts displayed by the participants were truly commendable. We extend our gratitude to the event organizers and all contributors who made this challenge a resounding success. C-SAR remains committed to nurturing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals and fostering innovation within this critical sector. 

PRESS RELEASE C-SAR coaches University of Dubai team at Capture The Flag competition Dubai, UAE C-SAR is thrilled to announce its participation in the Capture the Flag (CTF) competition held today at the Canadian University of Dubai (CUD), hosted in collaboration with ZINAD. The event featured a talented undergraduate team from the College of Engineering and Information Technology (CEIT) at the University of Dubai, who demonstrated exceptional commitment, resilience, and passion throughout the competition. Coached by C-SAR, the student team tackled various cybersecurity challenges, showcasing their skills and teamwork in a dynamic environment. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Tamer Mohamed, Dr. Ahmed Al Gindy, and their dedicated team at CUD for organizing such a well-executed event. A special acknowledgment goes to the ZINAD team for their invaluable support in making this competition a success. C-SAR looks forward to future challenges with this talented group, as we continue to foster innovation and excellence in cybersecurity.