Celebrating Leaders in Cybersecurity Education
The EC-Council Academia division works closely with K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities to deliver cutting-edge cybersecurity curriculum and job-ready certifications. These programs equip students with the skills needed to safeguard digital assets and help close the global workforce gap of 4 million cyber professionals.
Many of our partners, including nearly 250 National Centers of Academic Excellence (NCAEs) in the United States, go beyond traditional classroom instruction and program standards. They engage students through Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions, summer camps, clubs, and experiential learning, creating dynamic learning experiences that prepare graduates for real-world challenges.
EC-Council’s Academia Partner Program empowers faculty to teach in the format that works best for their students, whether in-person, online, or hybrid. These institutions have shown incredible agility in meeting workforce demands and ensuring students graduate with the skills employers need today.
2025 EC-Council Academia award winning partners include:
Academia Partner of the Year Award Winners:
Academy of Learning Company (Saudi Arabia)
Arab Open University Kuwait (Kuwait)
PSB Academy Pte Ltd (Singapore)
The Open University (United Kingdom)
University of Phoenix (United States)
Academia Circle of Excellence Award Winners:
Al-Khaleej Training Educations (Saudi Arabia)
Arden University (United Kingdom)
Bennett University (India)
Chandler-Gilbert Community College (United States)
Chung Cheng Institute of Technology, NDU (Taiwan)
Collin College (United States)
ECPI University (United States)
Efrei (France)
ESAIP (France)
Esigelec (France)
IW School (India)
JECRC University (India)
Knowledge Circle Academy (Jordan)
MAGES Institute of Excellence (Singapore)
Metrodata Academy (Indonesia)
Nanyang Polytechnic (Singapore)
NEF LAW COLLEGE (India)
Purdue University Northwest (United States)
Rochester Institute of Technology (United Arab Emirates)
Sinergy Academy (Indonesia)
Sunrise Institute (Cambodia)
Wake Technical Community College (United States)
Academia Best Newcomer of the Year Award Winners:
Mt. San Antonio College (United States)
Parul University (India)
Academia Innovator of the Year Award Winners:
IITM Pravartak (India)
IHUB NTIHAC Foundation (India)
University of West Florida (United States)
Academia Engagement Excellence Award Winners:
B. K. Birla College, Kalyan (India)
Miami-Dade County Public Schools (United States)
Sri Eshwar College of Engineering (India)
Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (India)
Academia Partner Ambassador Award Winners:
Cyber Florida of the University of South Florida (United States)
Hong Kong Institute of Technology (Hong Kong)
SRM Institute of Science and Technology (India)
What Our Award Recipients Have to Say:
“We are honored to once again be recognized by the EC-Council. The esteemed Academia Circle of Excellence award is a testament to our dedication to cybersecurity education and supporting the next generation of leaders in the field. We are committed to a high standard of excellence and are delighted to see that our passion and efforts are being recognized on an international stage.”
Damien Smith
Director of Workforce Cybersecurity
Collin College
“This award affirms what we value most: education that keeps pace with the world our students are entering. We don’t just teach cybersecurity; we teach adaptability, critical thinking, and the professional skills needed to stay ahead of change. Being recognized among EC-Council’s Circle of Excellence partners is an honor and a reflection of our shared commitment to developing the next generation of cybersecurity leaders.”
Dr. Keith A. Morneau
Dean of Computer and Information Science
ECPI University
“Purdue University Northwest (PNW) is extremely excited to receive the EC-Council: 2025 Academia Circle of Excellence Award, the same award PNW received last 3 years in a row. Being recognized in 3 straight years by EC-Council, a global firm specialized in cybersecurity education and certifications, demonstrates our excellence in cybersecurity education and dedicated, hardworking, and involved faculty. It puts our cybersecurity education at PNW on the world map! Our partnership with EC-Council in cybersecurity education helps narrow the gap of workforce shortage and enriches the learning experience and credentials of our students.”
Ronald De Castro
Lecturer of Computer Information Technology
Purdue University Northwest
“We are honored to be recognized by EC-Council and selected as a 2025 Academia Circle of Excellence Award recipient by EC-Council. Being recognized among only a handful of institutions across North America is an incredible honor for our cybersecurity program, our faculty, and our students. At Wake Tech, we are dedicated to training the next generation of IT and cybersecurity professionals and building a cyber-safe ecosystem across Wake County, North Carolina, and beyond. This award reflects our commitment to high-quality instruction, continuous program innovation, and the hands-on learning experiences that prepare our students to thrive in the cybersecurity workforce. We are grateful to EC-Council for this recognition and remain committed to advancing cybersecurity education and strengthening the communities we serve.”
Anthony Lucas
Department Head – Cybersecurity
Wake Technical Community College
“Mt. San Antonio College is deeply honored to receive the 2025 Academia Best Newcomer Award from EC-Council, a recognition that celebrates our commitment to excellence in cybersecurity education and innovation. This prestigious award reflects the dedication of our faculty, students, and partners in advancing cybersecurity awareness, fostering hands-on learning, and building a strong pipeline of skilled professionals who make a meaningful impact in our local and global communities. We are proud to be recognized among North America’s leading institutions and remain committed to continuous growth, student success, and the advancement of cybersecurity education.”
Paul Chiu
CIS Professor
Mt. San Antonio College
“The University of West Florida Center for Cybersecurity is immensely honored and grateful to be selected as the recipient of the EC-Council 2025 Academia Innovator of the Year Award.
Receiving this prestigious recognition is a significant achievement for UWF, especially as the sole recipient in North America. This award is a testament to the dedication of our team and mission to develop innovative solutions that advance the field of cybersecurity.
With thousands of EC-Council partners globally, this award highlights our commitment to strengthening the cybersecurity workforce and ensuring our graduates are prepared to address evolving industry needs. We deeply value our partnership with EC-Council and look forward to continuing our collaboration to shape the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
Thank you for this incredible honor.”
Dr. Eman El-Sheikh
Associate Vice President
University of West Florida
“We proudly recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of our nine high schools for their commitment to excellence in Cybersecurity Education. Each school has built vibrant programs that empower students with cutting-edge knowledge and hands-on experience in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity.
Through these programs, our students have earned EC-Council industry certifications, equipping them with globally recognized credentials that open doors to future careers in technology and security. Their dedication and hard work have not only strengthened their skills but also brought statewide recognition to our district.
For the second consecutive year, our talented students have triumphed in the State of Florida Cyber Launch Competition, showcasing their innovation, teamwork, and technical expertise. This achievement reflects the passion of our educators, the perseverance of our students, and the unwavering support of our community partners. Miami Dade County reaffirms our commitment to fostering cybersecurity education that prepares students for success in a digital world.”
Dr. Lupe Ferran Diaz
Administrative Director
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
“We are deeply honored to receive the 2025 Academia Partner Ambassador Award on behalf of Cyber Florida’s Operation K12 program. This recognition reflects our commitment to expanding cybersecurity education and empowering students, educators, and communities across Florida. At a time when digital literacy and security skills are more essential than ever, we are grateful for partners like EC-Council who share our dedication to preparing the next generation of cybersecurity leaders. This award inspires us to continue innovating, collaborating, and ensuring that every learner has the opportunity to thrive in a safer digital future.”
Dr. Candi L. Ring
Assistant Director – K12 Cybersecurity
Cyber Florida
at the University of South Florida
“The Open University and the TM359 Systems Penetration Testing Module Team are deeply honoured to be named the Academia Partner of the Year for 2025. With thousands of partners across the globe, this recognition represents an extraordinary achievement, and we are truly grateful to the EC-Council for this amazing acknowledgment. Delivering Ethical Hacking in a fully online format and providing practical, hands-on activities to more than 400 students each year is a significant challenge. However, through our partnership with EC-Council, we are able to make this possible.
This award reflects a shared commitment to advancing cybersecurity education, fostering student success, and continually integrating innovative technologies and curriculum into our teaching material. I am proud of the positive impact we have made through student engagement, certification preparation, and active participation in EC-Council initiatives.
Receiving this honour motivates us to continue supporting students, empowering faculty, and strengthening our academic community. I extend my sincere appreciation to the EC-Council and to the students, colleagues, and partners who contribute to this work every day.”
The Open University
“Sunrise Institute is immensely honored and thrilled to accept the 2025 Academia Circle of Excellence award from EC-Council. This recognition validates our ongoing dedication to providing exceptional cybersecurity education and preparing the next generation of industry leaders.”
Mr. Ren Phary
General Manager
Sunrise Institute
“MAGES Institute of Excellence is proud to be recognised with the 2025 EC-Council Academia Circle of Excellence Award. This honour underscores our commitment to delivering high-quality cybersecurity education and equipping learners with the practical, industry-aligned skills required in today’s evolving digital landscape. This recognition reflects the dedication of our faculty, industry mentors, and academic teams who continuously enhance our programmes, integrate real-world cybersecurity practices, and foster a strong learning ecosystem for our students. We extend our sincere appreciation to EC-Council for this acknowledgement. This award motivates us to continue advancing our cybersecurity initiatives and contributing to the development of the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.”
MAGES Institute of Excellence
“Thank you, EC-Council, for this continuous prestigious recognition. Integrating learning and certification into education is the strongest way to build real cybersecurity awareness. In a world powered by technology, every comfort comes with its risks — and Metrodata Academy is committed to stands beside the education ecosystem to prepare the future workforce for both the opportunities and the challenges ahead.”
Herryanti Herman
Director
Metrodata Academy
“We hereby acknowledge and proudly accept the Academia Circle of Excellence Award from EC-Council. This prestigious recognition reflects our institution’s dedication to advancing high-quality cybersecurity education and our ongoing commitment to developing competent, ethical, and industry-ready cybersecurity professionals.”
Sinergy Academy
“We are honored to accept the 2025 Academia Partner Ambassador Award presented by EC-Council. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to HKIT teaching & support teams, and students whose dedication and effort have made this achievement possible. We also appreciate the support of our partners and stakeholders who share our vision of a safer digital future.”
Hong Kong Institute of Technology
“JECRC University apprehends that the changing technology dynamics in the industry leads to new risks and thus, in order to keep this internet age well-ordered and the data, finances, and intellectual property safe, Cyber Security and its education has become a vital component. JECRC University is committed to rigorously train students in this field and make a difference in the Cyber Security workforce. Through our partnership with EC-Council USA, the students at JECRC University can choose to undergo certifications from a bouquet of contemporary courses in the domain of Cyber Security. Currently, approx. 600 students are benefiting from these well-curated courses.”
Arpit Agrawal
Vice Chairperson
JECRC University
“B. K. Birla College is honoured to receive the 2025 Academia Engagement Excellence Award from EC-Council. This recognition is a testament to our continuous commitment to advancing cybersecurity education through innovation, quality instruction, and active engagement with our students, alumni, and the wider community. We take pride in fostering an environment that prepares learners to become competent and responsible cybersecurity professionals. This award reinforces our dedication to excellence and inspires us to further strengthen our academic initiatives, collaborative efforts, and experiential learning opportunities in the cybersecurity domain.”
B. K. Birla College
“I am delighted and deeply honoured by SRM Institute of Science and Technology – KTR being recognized with the 2025 Academia Partner Ambassador Award by EC-Council. This prestigious recognition reflects our institute’s unwavering commitment to strengthening cybersecurity education, fostering global collaborations, and preparing our students to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
I extend my sincere appreciation to our esteemed leadership team – Dr. Revathi Venkataraman, Professor & Chairperson, School of Computing; Dr. M. Pushpalatha, Professor & Associate Chairperson, School of Computing and all faculty members who have continuously supported and guided our initiatives. Special recognition goes to Dr. M.B. Mukesh Krishnan, Program Coordinator – Cyber Security, and Dr. V. Hemamalini, Associate Professor & SPOC – EC-Council, for their dedicated efforts in driving this collaboration forward.
This award motivates us to further expand our collaborative efforts with EC-Council and introduce more impactful skill-development opportunities. We remain committed to nurturing industry-ready professionals and strengthening the cybersecurity ecosystem.”
Dr. M. Lakshmi
Professor & Head – Department of Networking and Communications
SRM Institute of Science and Technology
KTR Campus
“On behalf of our faculty and students, Department of Computer Science & Engineering, is proud and honoured to accept the 2025 Academia Engagement Excellence Award from EC-Council.
We extend our profound gratitude to EC-Council (Academic & Selection Teams) for setting the standard of excellence and for selecting our institute for the prestigious award. ‘Excellence’ in current context reflects our shared goal of bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application, ensuring our future workforce align with the rapid pace of changing technological market requirement.
We acknowledge & look forward to our continued collaboration, with EC-Council, a global industry leader in the domain.”
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology
Recognizing Leading Cybersecurity Faculty
Academia Instructor of the Year Award Winners:
Ajay Kumar of Bennett University (India)
Charles Lim of Swiss German University (Indonesia)
Ching-Jen Chao (Taiwan)
David Breeding of ECPI University (United States)
Kelvin Wu of Wissen International (Singapore)
Sahar Aldossary of Academy of Learning Company (Saudi Arabia)
Yueh Han John Lim of Nanyang Polytechnic (Singapore)
LIGOT Olivier Georges Philippe of PSB Academy Pte Ltd (Singapore)
Academia Instructor Circle of Excellence Award Winners:
Caroline Mora of St. Philip’s College (United States)
Condo Ernest of Adventist University of Central Africa (Rwanda)
Eric Burnett of California Institute of Applied Technology (United States)
Glenn Kimball of Collin College (United States)
LIGOT Olivier Georges Philippe of (Singapore)
Monera Almokainzi of Academy of Learning Company (Saudi Arabia)
Muhammad Atif Rafi Chowhan of Institute of Applied Technology (United Arab Emirates)
Rejimon Sebastian of Miami Dade College (United States)
Tiago Guimaraes Alves Machado of ISEP Academy (Portugal)
Victoria Ferrell of Forsyth Technical Community College (United States)
Vladimir TOUTAIN of CSB.School (France)
Zulkifli Bin Jalil of PSB Academy Pte Ltd (Singapore)
The honored instructors shared their reflections on receiving this recognition. Their comments reveal innovative approaches to teaching and a steadfast commitment to student success.
“I am honored to receive EC-Council’s Instructor of the Year award. This recognition reflects the dedication of our students and the strong collaboration within our academic community in advancing cybersecurity education.”
David Breeding
Associate Dean
ECPI University
“I am honored to receive the 2025 Academia Instructor Circle of Excellence award from EC-Council. This recognition reflects the collective effort to advance cybersecurity education and empower students to succeed in a rapidly evolving digital world. Thank you to my colleagues, students, and the academic community for your support and collaboration.”
Victoria Ferrell
Cybersecurity/System Security Program Coordinator
Forsyth Technical Community College
“I am proud to accept the EC-Council Academia Instructor Circle of Excellence Award. This recognition strengthens my commitment to excellence and innovation in cybersecurity education.”
Rejimon Sebastian
Instructor, Computer Science
Miami Dade College
“I’m humbled and honored to be selected to receive the EC-Council 2025 Academic Instructor Circle of Excellence Award. Inspiring students to elevate their knowledge and skills to address the complexities and challenges in Cybersecurity is core to my teaching mission. As educators, we need to be able to combine foundational material and knowledge within the EC-Council program and courseware with other high-value skills. Collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and inquisitiveness are important in producing well-rounded leaders in the Cybersecurity industry. The depth and coverage of the EC-Council program material, teaching tools, lab environments, and supporting services ensure relevance, applicability, and effective outcomes.
Collin College’s core values of Learning, Service and Involvement, Creativity and Innovation, Academic Excellence, Dignity and Respect, and Integrity tightly align with those of EC-Council, making this partnership even stronger. This award validates that our core approach, collaborative partnerships, and dedication to student outcomes and advancement is on target. I am grateful to have a partner like EC-Council to advance the Cybersecurity cause.”
Glenn Kimball
Professor of Cybersecurity
Collin College
“I am deeply humbled to receive the 2025 Instructor Circle of Excellence Award. As someone who began this journey many years ago as a first-generation student, this recognition holds a very special meaning for me. I am grateful for the opportunity to give back through teaching, mentorship, and building programs that open doors for the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Teaching in cybersecurity is truly a privilege. I am inspired every day by the resilience, passion, and curiosity of my students. This recognition reflects their hard work as much as my own, and I am honored to contribute to their academic and professional growth.
I would like to accept this award not only for myself, but also on behalf of the strong collaborative support of my colleagues at St. Philip’s College. This award reaffirms our shared commitment to creating pathways of opportunity and excellence for our students.
I am sincerely grateful for this acknowledgment and remain dedicated to advancing student success and excellence in cybersecurity education.”
Caroline Mora
Program Director/Lead Instructor
BAT in Cybersecurity
St. Philip’s College
“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from EC-Council. This award is not a reflection of personal achievement, but rather of my commitment to supporting student success. My greatest fulfillment comes from seeing students grow, achieve, and thrive, and I accept this award as a reminder to continue serving them with care, dedication, and humility.”
Eric Burnett
Associate Dean of Education
California Institute of Applied Technology
EC-Council Academia proudly recognizes leading instructors and programs each year through the EC-Council Academia Partner Awards. We congratulate the winners for earning this distinction and for the success of their programs. We are grateful to collaborate with such dedicated faculty and staff, and we know the cybersecurity community is stronger because of your efforts.
About EC-Council
EC-Council, the creator of the world-renowned Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification, is on a mission to empower the next generation of cybersecurity leaders. Since 2001, EC-Council has delivered cutting-edge education and certifications to students worldwide, offering over 30 industry certification programs and over 600+ courses that span from foundational End-User Security to advanced Penetration Testing and Information Security Management.
About EC-Council Academia
As an ISO/IEC 17024 Accredited Organization and recognized under U.S. Department of Defense 8140, EC-Council certifications are trusted globally by governments, enterprises, and academia.
Through EC-Council Academia, we partner with thousands of institutions to create vibrant cybersecurity ecosystems. Students gain access to Hackerverse CTF, an immersive Capture the Flag experience that sharpens real-world skills, and our Community Platform & Mobile App, where learners connect, collaborate, and grow their professional network.
Additionally, EC-Council Learning provides flexible, on-demand training resources, ensuring students and faculty stay ahead in the ever-evolving cyber landscape. Together, we’re building a future where cybersecurity talent thrives.
Learn more at https://www.eccouncil.org/academia.
