ProCyD – A Modular Higher Education System in Data Protection and Cybersecurity for Supporting the Digital Transformation in Mozambique and South Africa

The envisioned goal of the project is the introduction or strengthening of data protection and cybersecurity into higher education to support the digital transformation in Mozambique and South Africa.

Developing countries such as Mozambique as well as emerging countries such as South Africa can particularly benefit from the upcoming changes: Digitalisation can be a successful accelerator to escape the poverty trap and reduce the gap between rich and poor. But it can also have the opposite effect and increase poverty and inequality. Digitalisation needs IT security and people who, based on knowledge in both data security and data protection, can realistically assess the benefits and risks that accompany this transformation. With the project ProCyD, we want to support the people, the economy, civil society, academia, and political decision-makers of our partner countries in taking advantage of the opportunities of digital transformation and mastering competent risks. The plan is to design and implement courses focusing on data protection and cybersecurity at different levels: A course for general basic qualification as well as new study programmes at the bachelor’s and the master’s level.

To address the challenge that the partner higher education institutions lack qualified teaching staff in the targeted subject areas, a pilot master’s programme with semesters abroad within the project runtime will take place. This will create an initial pool of specialists as well as lecturers, which will ensure the sustainability of the project results.