A summary of the first Intake for CyberMACS regarding the selection process.

Results for 2023-2024 Student Edition: For 2023-2024 period, 731 valid applications were received from 67 different countries and 74 applicants were called for interviews after a careful evaluation process. The diverse and talented cohort from various countries underscores the global reach and impact of the CyberMACS programme. For 2023-2024, the final student intake comprises 25 highly talented individuals, representing a diverse array of countries: Albania (2), Algeria (1), Bangladesh (2), Croatia (1), Indonesia (1), Nepal (2), Kazakhstan (2), Kenya (1), Mexico (1), Nigeria (5), Pakistan (2), Palestine (1), Tajikistan (1), Turkish (2), Uzbekistan (1). The programme embraces gender diversity with a cohort consisting of 8 females and 17 males, highlighting inclusivity in the field of cybersecurity. 20 students have been awarded the prestigious CyberMACS Scholarship, and 5 students are enrolled in self-funded status.

The 3-stage processing and selection includes the following criteria and procedures.

  1. Screening phase: Applications are first checked for completeness of the required documents (10 different documents are required). The applicants with missing one or more documents are not considered further (Total of 396 applicants disqualified at this stage).
  2. Administrative, language, and academic validity check: Applications passing the screening phase are then subjected to further and detailed checks: Administrative and academic processing (total of 334 applicants from 45 countries worldwide). At the end of this process 197 applications are put aside with no further processing, while 137 applicants were elevated to the detailed academic merit-based processing and ranking level. The 132 applicants’ documents are evaluated by 2 selection committee members separately and assigned a grade. And the average of both grades is used for ranking.
  3. Interviews: Depending on applicant’s ranking, 10% cap on scholarship holders from a particular country, and on the number of students foreseen for admission the following rules were applied for developing an interview list and conducting the face-to-face (online) interview. A total of 74 applicants out of 132 applicants are interviewed. Every applicant who is called for an interview by joint selection committee members is first given a 30-minute long 25-multiple choice computer and math basics’ test. The formation of the interview has the following rules:
    • If there are less than 6 or equal to applications from a country, every applicant passing the administrative, language and academic validity (those who are withing the 132 applicants) are called for interview.
    • If there are 7 to 10 (inclusive) applications from a country, then the top ranked 50% of all applicants passing the administrative, language and academic validity (those who are withing the 132 applicants) are called for interview.
    • If there are more than 10 applications from a country, then the top ranked 30% – 35% of all applicants passing the administrative, language, and academic validity (those who are withing the 132 applicants) are called for interview.
  4. At the interview stage, students are evaluated based on their motivation, experience, and their ability to integrate into this international programme.
  5. Applicants are then ranked depending on their overall mark, which includes the mark for merit (75%) and the mark for motivation (25%). The mark is not changed after application of the other criteria. Two main ranked lists and one ranked reserve lists are then drawn up for the first intake.
    • The numbers in each list (full scholarship or self-financed) are determined by the consortium every year.
    • Applicants who are offered a full scholarship are not allowed to change their mobility path; however, applicants who are offered a self-financed option are given a chance to petition a change of mobility path. The petition is evaluated by the Executive Board and a final decision is then made.
  6. In case of equality with male students, female students are promoted right before male students with the same overall mark.
  7. Geographical limitations apply then.
  8. If a student in the full scholarship list should decline the offer or should not reply in due time, the next student on the reserved list is offered a place with a scholarship, except if his/her nationality quota has been reached. If so, the next student on the main list is then considered for a scholarship