1. Overview
During the Fall Semester of the 2025–2026 academic year, the Cyber Club focused on strengthening students’ theoretical foundations in digital and cybersecurity fields while significantly improving their practical skills. Throughout the semester, the club played an important role in bridging education and industry, enabling students to take their first steps toward professional careers in cybersecurity and related IT fields.
2. Training Program and Strategy
As part of the training plan covering the period from September to December, participants received structured and systematic knowledge aligned with international standards. The training program was designed to provide both theoretical understanding and hands-on experience.
The main training areas included:
- Cybersecurity Strategy: Building security systems based on the CIA Triad principles (Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability).
- Ethical Hacking: Techniques for identifying system vulnerabilities and understanding different types of hackers.
- Penetration Testing (Pentest): Practical sessions based on penetration testing methodologies.
- Infrastructure Knowledge: Understanding the OSI model, network protocols, Linux operating systems, with a particular focus on Kali Linux.
3. Expert Seminars and Industry Collaboration
Throughout the semester, the Cyber Club organized expert seminars and masterclasses in collaboration with leading professionals in the IT and cybersecurity industry. These sessions provided students with real-world insights and practical perspectives.
Invited experts included:
- Shahin Aliyev – Chief Executive Officer of Baku Technology Center
- Ismayil Asadov – Cybersecurity Trainer at Baku Technology Center
- Afsana Mustafazade – Founder and Director of Cybervia
- Ibrahim Agazade – IT Specialist at PASHA Holding LLC
- Safa Bakan – Chief Instructor at the State Customs Committee Academy
4. Practical Achievements: Internship Program
As a result of the final selection round held on December 17, ten talented students were selected to participate in an internship program at the Baku Technology Center. This program provided students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a real industry environment and apply their acquired knowledge in practice.
The internship program covered various professional areas, including event organization, product ownership, digital marketing, corporate relations, business development, and technical trainee positions.
5. Awareness and PR Activities
During the Fall Semester, the Cyber Club’s Social Media team actively carried out awareness and public relations activities. Educational posts and short videos explaining cyber hygiene and digital security best practices were regularly shared on the club’s official social media platforms, contributing to increased awareness among students.
6. Conclusion
Overall, the Fall Semester of the 2025–2026 academic year was highly productive for the Cyber Club in terms of education, professional development, and career opportunities. The activities carried out during this period significantly contributed to preparing students for the labor market and supporting their long-term professional growth.
Ruslan Khalilzada
Head of Cyber Club
