One of Liberia’s higher learning institutions licensed by the National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE), Starz University, has formally launched its newest program to offer a Bachelor of Science (BSc) Degree in Cybersecurity, beginning 2025. The launch of the program on Friday, September 27, 2024 in Monrovia brought together key national stakeholders and authorities of the NCHE, Liberia National Police (LNP), Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), among others. Giving an overview of the program, the Founder and Board Chair of Starz University, Ambassador Latim Da-Thong, disclosed that the University is committed to addressing the Cybersecurity skills gap, by proposing the integration of a Bachelor of Science (BSc) Degree program in Cybersecurity. According to him, the initiative seeks to build a highly trained workforce that will mitigate cyber risks, strengthen digital resilience, and respond to the increasing threats facing both the public and private sectors of the country. “As Liberia continued to evolve in the digital age, the need for robust and proactive Cybersecurity measures has become increasingly critical,” he said. He indicated that cyber threats are growing in both scale and complexity, posing significant risks to businesses, governments, financial institutions, and individuals. Amb. Da-Thong said the demand for skilled Cybersecurity professionals has never been greater from protecting sensitive data to securing national digital infrastructure. Amb. Da-Thong, who is the immediate former Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Education (MOE) said the proposed Cybersecurity degree program will focus on delivering a comprehensive curriculum that combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical experience. He named Cyber Threats and Vulnerabilities, Network Security, Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing, Digital Forensics, Data Protection and Privacy, Compliance and Cyber Law as key areas of study. The Starz University Chief Executive Officer (CEO) also said the program aim to develop skilled Cybersecurity professionals, strengthen national Cybersecurity infrastructure, enhance public safety and national security, promote economic growth through cyber defense, and encourage innovation and research. He further stated that the proposed BSc program in Cybersecurity will be designed for high school graduates, IT professionals, as well as government and private sector employees.
The Liberian educator who has taught in the United States, Liberia and other parts of the world with over 20 years of experience in the education field, recounted that in recent years, the global landscape has witnessed a surge in Cyber attacks, targeting various sectors, including financial institutions, government offices, NGOs, and private enterprises. He noted that Liberia is not immune to these threats, adding that the country’s growing reliance on digital systems highlights the urgent need to fortify Cybersecurity defenses. “However, there is a significant gap in the availability of skilled Cybersecurity professionals within the country. This gap poses a severe risk to Liberia’s economic growth, governance, and the protection of sensitive information. As a leading institution of higher learning, Starz University is positioned to address this gap by launching a dedicated Cyber Security degree program,” he said. He also stated that the proposed Cyber Security Degree program will focus on education and training, workforce development, research and innovation, community engagement, as its strategic importance highlights national security, economic stability and global competitiveness.
Accordingly, Starz University is seeking to collaborate with key stakeholders in some major areas, including financial institutions aimed at getting support through scholarships, internships, and funding for the development of state-of-the-art Cybersecurity labs. He also extends the partnership to government offices to collaborate in curriculum development, policy research, and offering internships or employment opportunities for graduates. The Starz University Boss further named non-governmental organizations partnership in outreach programs to educate the broader public on Cybersecurity awareness and best practices. “We also welcome heads of foreign missions for the sole purpose of facilitating international collaborations, exchanges, and funding opportunities to enhance the program’s global relevance and reach”. He stressed that the integration of a Cybersecurity degree program at Starz University represents far more than an academic pursuit, adding “it is a strategic and transformative initiative aimed at securing Liberia’s digital future.” He emphasized that Cybersecurity is not just a technical issue, but a critical aspect of national security, economic growth, and societal stability. This initiative has been heavily embraced by the national stakeholders who attended the ceremony, describing it as timely and helpful in addressing Cyber risks encountered daily at various professional institutions. “Cyber threat is very alarming and we as a country are way behind, and we came here today to express our commitment and support to this endeavor,” LNP IG Gregory O. W. Coleman said. IG Coleman also stressed the need to sign a memorandum of understanding with Starz University for the advancement of administrators and officers of the police, stating “we can have the entire staff here working with you at the national level to gain some shares of the experiences because if there were any Cyber attack today, we have absolutely no control.”In separate remarks, authorities from the LRA, CBL and NCHE, pledged their commitment to building a strong collaboration with the University.