Blended Intensive Programme Applied Cybersecurity
An international Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme bringing students together to work on applied cybersecurity challenges through online collaboration and an intensive on-site challenge week.
Centre of Expertise Cyber Security
Project goal
The project aimed to provide students with applied cybersecurity knowledge in an international learning environment. By combining online education with an intensive on-site program, students gained practical experience with realistic cybersecurity scenarios and cross-border collaboration.
Problem statement and relevance
Cybersecurity challenges increasingly cross national and organisational boundaries. Higher education must therefore prepare students not only with technical skills, but also with the ability to collaborate internationally and respond to real-world cyber threats. This project addresses that need by integrating technical depth with international teamwork and applied learning.
Target group
The project targeted bachelor-level students in cybersecurity, IT, and related technical programmes. Academic staff from partner institutions were also involved as lecturers and supervisors.
Project approach
The Blended Intensive Programme followed a two-phase structure:
- Online phase (8 weeks):
Weekly interactive sessions covering network security, ransomware, Security Operations Centers (SOC), offensive security, Operational Technology (OT) security, and the use of machine learning and deep learning in cybersecurity. - Physical phase (4 days):
An intensive on-site programme at TecnoCampus Mataró, where students worked in international teams on Capture-the-Flag (CTF) and hackathon-style cybersecurity challenges.
Results and outcomes
The project resulted in:
- Improved applied cybersecurity skills among participating students
- Enhanced international collaboration and communication competences
- Hands-on experience with realistic cyber incidents and technical challenges
- Strengthened cooperation between European universities in cybersecurity education
The programme demonstrated the added value of blended and short-term international education within technical domains.
Project duration
The project ran over a period of approximately three months, consisting of an eight-week online phase followed by a four-day physical programme.
Partners and funding
The project was carried out within the Centre of Expertise Cyber Security of The Hague University of Applied Sciences and involved the following research groups:
- Research group Network and Systems Engineering Cyber Security
- Research group Cyber Security and Safety
This project was developed and delivered in collaboration with:
- TecnoCampus Mataró (Spain)
- Brandenburg University of Applied Sciences (Germany)
The programme was organised within the framework of the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP).
More information / Read more
Team
- Arthur Djamardzhashvili (Contact Person)
- dr. ir. Gerard Hoekstra (Professor / Chair)
- dr. ir. Marinus Maris (Researcher)
- Eric ten Bos (Researcher)
- Stefan Zwaard (Researcher)
- Berber Hartman (International IT & Design Coordinator)
- dr. Pere Tuset-Peiró (TecnoCampus Mataró)
- prof. dr. Michael Pilgermann (Brandenburg University of Applied Sciences)
Contact
Arthur Djamardzhashvili – [email protected]