- Published on
Defending the new Cyber Security Bachelor for Howest Bruges
- Authors
- Name
- Wout Van Brussel
- @VanBrusselWout
Today, December 12th, 2023, I attended the defense of the new Cyber Security bachelor program for Howest Bruges. This new program will be an independent bachelor and not dependent on the “Applied Computer Science” program, which my current studies are part of. Five other students and I were selected to present in front of a committee that asked us numerous questions about our current study program and whether we support the new curriculum.
Arrival and Initial Meeting
My train was significantly delayed, causing me to arrive about five minutes late to the meeting. Despite this, I joined the session where we were rigorously questioned about various aspects of our studies. The committee was thorough, asking detailed questions to gauge our support and insights into the new program.
Discussion with Lecturers
After the intense questioning session, we met with several lecturers to discuss how the “interview” went. This discussion provided a platform to share our experiences and thoughts on the proposed Cyber Security bachelor. We were also provided with sandwiches, which offered a brief respite before continuing with the day’s activities.
Live Hacking Demo
Most of the students went home after the discussion, but Dries and I were asked to give a live “hacking” demonstration. We initially had trouble connecting to the setup environment provided by the lecturers. As a contingency, we used the “Pokemon Lan” environment I had on my laptop to proceed with the demo.
Reception and Networking
Following the demo, there was a brief waiting period before we could attend the reception and networking segment of the day. This part of the event allowed us to meet and converse with some of Howest's investors while the “jury” deliberated.
Conclusion
The defense of the new Cyber Security bachelor was a rigorous but rewarding experience. It was an excellent opportunity to provide input on the future of cybersecurity education at Howest Bruges. The live demo and networking session added practical and professional dimensions to the day, making it a comprehensive and enriching experience.