In the context of enhancing joint cooperation, King Khalid University, represented by the College of Computer Science, hosted a delegation from the National Cybersecurity Authority. During the visit, a specialized workshop was organized, targeting faculty members, students, and female students, alongside a related exhibition to introduce attendees to the Authority's initiative aimed at supporting research and innovation in cybersecurity and developing cyber solutions to address current and future challenges.

Dr. Areej Mohammed Al-Asiri, Dean of the College of Computer Science at King Khalid University, expressed the university's pride in this collaboration, which reflects the importance of partnering with the National Cybersecurity Authority. She affirmed that this event serves as a step to enhance the participation of faculty members and students in leading research initiatives, particularly in the first phase of the National Program for Research, Development, and Innovation in Cybersecurity, which involves grants for pioneers in cybersecurity research and innovation.

Dr. Al-Asiri also noted that the university aims to be an effective contributor to achieving the initiative's goals, which seek to empower the research and innovation ecosystem in the Kingdom. She praised the inspiring role of the Authority in motivating the next generation of researchers and specialists in cybersecurity, emphasizing that this type of collaboration supports the Kingdom's aspirations to build a secure and advanced digital future.

During the workshop, experts from the Authority presented the main objectives of the initiative, emphasizing the importance of empowering research, development, and innovation in cybersecurity to enhance cyber resilience and keep pace with global technological developments. The workshop focused on the first phase of the newly launched initiative, which aims to encourage researchers and students to participate in research and innovative projects that provide practical solutions to current and future challenges.

The first phase of the initiative prioritizes supporting distinguished researchers and developing innovative solutions across various tracks, including scientific research, graduate research theses, and graduation projects for undergraduate and master's students. The Authority clarified that this initiative represents a significant opportunity for educational and research institutions and students to benefit from the support provided, contributing to strengthening national capabilities and establishing the Kingdom's leadership in this field.

Alongside the workshop, an informative exhibition was held to accompany the event, where the Authority's team provided comprehensive information about the initiative for granting cybersecurity research and innovation pioneers, which aims to support promising research and innovations in cybersecurity with national priority. The exhibition highlighted the participation criteria, application mechanisms, and concluded with an invitation from the Authority's team to all university members to engage in the program and take advantage of the opportunities offered by the initiative.

This visit is part of a series of visits organized by the National Cybersecurity Authority to Saudi universities to expand participation and raise awareness of the importance of innovation in cybersecurity. The Authority also seeks to introduce beneficiaries to available support opportunities and motivate them to apply for announced initiatives, aiming to enhance scientific production in the field of cybersecurity and direct research efforts toward national priority areas, such as cyber defense, behavioral security, encryption, and artificial intelligence security.

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