UVI Research and Technology Park

Cybersecurity Fellowship Program

Background:

Cybersecurity is a new multi-disciplinary field  involving processes  and technologies deployed to protect critical infrastructures and data from vulnerabilities or attacks. With the cyberspace expansion, businesses, government agencies, educational institutions and even individuals are affected by cyber-risks. It is imperative for the Virgin Islands to tap into the pool of talents in the Territory. 

The Cybersecurity Workforce Pipeline  is designed to create a consortium composed  of 13 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), two national labs, and a k-12 school district. The main objective is to train the future nation’s cybersecurity experts. The grant is funded by the US Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE NNSA: http://nnsa.energy.gov/). 

White House Announcement: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/01/15/vice-president-biden-announces-25-million-funding-cybersecurity-educatio 

The Cybersecurity Fellowship Program at UVI has a goal to provide training and in the future increase the number and diversity of the nation’s cybersecurity experts.The program at UVI supports up to 6 undergraduate students per academic year. 

UVI Award Announcement: http://www.uvi.edu/news/articles/2015/15_014_cyber.aspx 

Partners:

Eligibility:

To be selected to participate as a Cybersecurity Scholar, interested students must have a strong interest in pursuing a career in cybersecurity such as Chief Information Security Office, Computer Crime Investigator, Cryptanalyst, Cryptographer, Forensics Expert, Information Assurance Analyst, Intrusion Detection Specialist, Network Security Engineer, Security Systems Administrator, Security Software Developer, Virus Technician, Vulnerability Assessor, Web Penetration Tester, etc. 

Students must attend UVI full time and be majoring in mathematics, computer science, applied math, chemistry, biology, marine biology with a minor in computational science, have a minimum UVI GPA of 3.2 and be a US citizen or permanent resident.

Students should be available during summers and willing to work in National labs.

Requirements:

ECS Cybersecurity Scholars must be interested in a career in science, mathematics, engineering, computer science or technology. Scholars will:

  • Provide mentorship to students
  • Promote the program
  • Assist K-12 teachers and youth
  • Organize and participate in Cybersecurity Club
  • Recruit new scholars

Benefits:

  • $800 monthly stipends to work with a UVI faculty mentor on research projects
  • Summer stipends to conduct summer research with faculty at UVI or at other participating institutions
  • Travel to scientific meetings
  • Ability to work during summers at DOE National Laboratories
  • Able to pursue degrees and training  at partner institutions

Resources:

CONTACTS:

Dr. Marc Boumedine
Cybersecurity Principal Investigator
College of Science and Mathematics
University of the Virgin Islands. St. Thomas
Email: mboumed@uvi.edu
 Phone: 340-693-1255
 Fax: 340-693-1245 

Dr. Alan Lewit 
Cybersecurity Co-Principal Investigator 
College of Science and Mathematics 
University of the Virgin Islands, St. Croix 
Email: alewit@uvi.edu 
Phone: 340-692-4147