510 teachers and students participate in Cybersecurity Hackathon
Computer Technical Guidance Department participates in the second edition of the Cybersecurity Hackathon at KTECH
Translated by Alqyas from Al-Rai — Original source
The General Directorate of Computer Technical Guidance at the Ministry of Education is participating in the second edition of the CyberThon 2026 cybersecurity hackathon, organized by Kuwait Tech College (KTECH) for high school students, with the aim of enhancing their skills in cybersecurity and information protection.
The event includes training programs that began today, Sunday, and will continue until next Thursday. These will be followed by competitions for boys’ schools on November 22 and girls’ schools on November 23, with the closing ceremony, announcement of results, and awards for winning teams scheduled for November 24.
Mona Salem, Director of the Computer Technical Guidance Directorate, confirmed that the hackathon is being held for the second consecutive year, noting that this year’s event sees the participation of 408 high school students, along with 102 computer teachers representing 102 secondary schools. Salem stated that the hackathon aims to broaden participation to include the largest possible number of Ministry of Education schools, thereby contributing to the dissemination of cybersecurity culture and enhancing digital skills among students and teachers.
She highlighted that a key feature of the hackathon is that participating teachers receive certified certificates from Kuwait Tech College after completing a specialized training program, alongside students who also receive certified certificates, thereby strengthening their expertise and knowledge in cybersecurity.
She added that the training program covers the concept, tools, and ethics of cybersecurity, as well as introducing participants to platforms specialized in vulnerability detection and practicing their identification through technical challenges based on the “Capture the Flag” methodology.
She explained that the training prepares students for the final comprehensive competition, which features competition among participants in identifying vulnerabilities and applying the skills acquired during the training period. She noted that the current edition will select one winning male student and one winning female student, providing an opportunity for both boys and girls to showcase their abilities and skills in this field.
Salem emphasized that the hackathon represents an important opportunity to prepare students for future requirements, given the growing importance of cybersecurity and technical specialties. She stressed that developing these skills contributes to preparing future generations for future jobs and keeping pace with technological advancements.
