Level:
Beginner
Duration:
10 weeks or more (split between courses)
Application Announcement
Application is now open
Eligible candidates will be invited to the placement test.
To be eligible for the placement test, the candidate must be enrolled in the KAUST Academy/Coursera program within 5 days of receiving Coursera invitation and then complete the required pre-requisite courses within the recommended period, otherwise the Coursera subscription will be revoked and passed on to other applicants on the waiting list.
Requirements
1- Saudi students and recent graduates in Saudi universities majoring in Cybersecurity or relevant fields.
2-You must complete the prerequisite courses on Coursera.
3- Passing the assessments at each stage. Top qualified students will be invited to the next stage
*Compulsory Step
Prerequisite Core Courses
To qualify for the Artificial Intelligence Specialization Program, you’ll need to sign up for Coursera within 5 days of receiving the invitation link at your registered email address, and then successfully complete one of two tracks to be eligible to take part in the placement test:
Students with top scores in the placement test will receive invitation for (Introduction to CyS) to join a one week in person training during university breaks. At the end of the course, students with top performance will be invited to another one week in person training (Advanced CyS) and take an exam at the end of the course as well.
The top qualified students will receive invitation to participate in a variety of KAUST Academy Summer Programs at elite partners institutions in KSA and/or abroad including Summer School, Internships, and Research Programs.
Students who will not be selected after passing the placement test in October, will still have access to 200 courses, specializations, guided projects and more on Coursera until 31 July 2026. They will be eligible to receive a free certificate for each achievement on Coursera during that period.
Covered topics in this course
- Network Security
- Secure Coding
- Malicious Software (or Malware)
- Cloud Computing Security
- Incident Response
- Cybersecurity Architecture
Skills you’ll gain
Security Policy Development
Penetration Testing
Forensic Analysis
Security Awareness Training
Security Auditing
Encryption Techniques
Student Journey
Stage 1: Prerequisite Course
Method:
Self-Paced, Online Courses
Duration:
2 to 4 Weeks
Completion Date:
To Be Determined
Important Note: Signing up for the prerequisite courses on Coursera (Stage 1) does not guarantee participation in subsequent stages. Students must demonstrate their knowledge and skills by excelling in the assessments to progress through the program. Certificates of Completion will be awarded at each stage to acknowledge participants’ achievements. Qualified students will be invited to the next stage.
Description: The students are required to complete dedicated online courses to establish a solid foundation for their cybersecurity education.
Stage 2: Introduction to Cybersecurity
Method:
Instructor-Paced, In-Person Lectures
Duration:
5 days
Start Date:
(TBD) during university breaks
Description: The qualified students from the first stage will have the opportunity to participate in in-person lectures in different key locations across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Stage 3: Advanced Cybersecurity
Method:
Instructor-Paced, In-Person Lectures
Start Date:
During university breaks 2026
Duration:
(TBD) during university breaks
Description: The qualified students excelling in the second stage, will be invited to advance in person training to a deeper exploration of the cybersecurity domain.
Stage 4: Cybersecurity Summer Program
Method:
Instructor-Paced, In-Person Lectures
Start Date:
To Be Determined
Duration:
Two months
Top performing students, distinguished from the third stage, will earn a coveted scholarship for 8 weeks during summer break.
Professor’s Take on the Course
“Cybersecurity lies at the heart of Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation. As the Kingdom advances toward its Vision 2030 goals, protecting its digital infrastructure and data has become a national priority. Building this resilience begins with empowering young minds to think critically about emerging threats and to develop the expertise needed to secure the nation’s future.
The Cybersecurity Specialization Program serves this purpose by engaging students in an immersive learning experience that blends curiosity, analysis, and innovation. It nurtures the next generation of young professionals capable of anticipating and responding to complex cyber challenges with confidence and creativity.
At the academy, we see this initiative as part of our broader mission to strengthen the Kingdom’s cybersecurity ecosystem. By developing talent and advancing knowledge, we contribute to a safer, more resilient digital future for Saudi Arabia and beyond.”
Professor Ali Hassan
Instructional Professor of Computer Science at KAUST
Thousands of happy learners
Personally, I was having a hard time choosing a path for my career, but learning about all the different topics that emerged from AI was an eye-opening experience that made me realize the relevance of AI to the development of our beloved country. Now, I’m more confident than ever about what I want to do.
Faisal Alharthi
Personally, I was having a hard time choosing a path for my career, but learning about all the different topics that emerged from AI was an eye-opening experience that made me realize the relevance of AI to the development of our beloved country. Now, I’m more confident than ever about what I want to do.
Faisal Alharthi
Personally, I was having a hard time choosing a path for my career, but learning about all the different topics that emerged from AI was an eye-opening experience that made me realize the relevance of AI to the development of our beloved country. Now, I’m more confident than ever about what I want to do.
Faisal Alharthi
Personally, I was having a hard time choosing a path for my career, but learning about all the different topics that emerged from AI was an eye-opening experience that made me realize the relevance of AI to the development of our beloved country. Now, I’m more confident than ever about what I want to do.
Faisal Alharthi
Personally, I was having a hard time choosing a path for my career, but learning about all the different topics that emerged from AI was an eye-opening experience that made me realize the relevance of AI to the development of our beloved country. Now, I’m more confident than ever about what I want to do.
Faisal Alharthi
Personally, I was having a hard time choosing a path for my career, but learning about all the different topics that emerged from AI was an eye-opening experience that made me realize the relevance of AI to the development of our beloved country. Now, I’m more confident than ever about what I want to do.
Faisal Alharthi
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who can apply for this program?
Saudi students and recent graduates in Saudi universities majoring in Cybersecurity or relevant fields.
How do I start this program?
By signing up and completing the prerequisite (online) courses via Coursera.
Is there a tuition fee for the KAUST Academy Specializations Program?
The program is currently offered with a full scholarship for talented students at all Saudi universities.
Is this training program for technical professionals?
No, this training program is catered to Saudi students and recent graduates in Saudi universities to well prepare them for the ideal career opportunities in the Kingdom and/or abroad.
Will I be able to apply learned cybersecurity skills in real-world scenarios after this course?
Absolutely. The course emphasizes practical programming and covers foundational concepts that are applicable to real-world AI solutions.
How much time should I dedicate to the course each day?
(Stage one) Prerequisite online course is self-paced, suggested completion time is 2 to 4 weeks.
(Stages 2, 3, and 4) Introduction, Advanced, and Summer Program) are full day in-person training and instructor-paced. They will will take place during university breaks.
How do I get invited to the placement test in stage one?
To qualify for the placement test, you are required to successfully complete only the pre-requisite course(s) which are auto-enrolled to your access upon joining Coursera.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion?
Yes, participants who successfully complete the online course(s) and/or the in-person courses will receive a certificate of completion to showcase their newfound knowledge and skills at each stage.
How do I qualify for the in-person training and reach the fourth stage (summer program)?
The program consists of four stages with assessment after each stage to get qualified to the following one. Top performing students will be selected to advance further until they successfully reach the summer program.
How could I benefit from this training program if I could not get selected to the in-person course?
Students who successfully complete the pre-requisite courses on Coursera will be already benefited from this program even if they do not get selected to the second stage.
Do not forget that you have free access to over 200 courses, specialization, guided projects, and more through the KAUST Academy/Coursera license.
We strongly recommend that you enroll, complete and earn free certificates for as many courses as you like, during the entire period of the program.
