Henry Lee Chang-Yu, a Chinese-born American forensic scientist, attends the 4th China Internet Security Conference at National Convention Center held on Aug. 17, 2016 in Beijing. (Photo : Getty Images)
As part of China's nationwide efforts, a cybersecurity training was launched on Monday, Sept.19, by authorities from Wuhan, capital of Hubei Province, who vowed to increase the number of scholarships to attract students to pursue cybersecurity and to discover and recruit so-called "maverick geniuses," Global Times reported.
Speaking at the Cybersecurity Technology Summit during China Cybersecurity Week, Li Shuyong, Wuhan government publicity department head, said that the city government will partner with companies to nurture the world's top cybersecurity talent.
According to Li, the local government will raise the number of scholarships it offers to students taking up cybersecurity majors, with the hope to recruit to the top graduates from Chinese and overseas schools, as well as from competitors at cybersecurity competitions. A class for minors will also be opened as well as a special recruitment for "maverick geniuses," she added.
An innovative evaluation system will be established, according to Li, wherein cybersecurity majors will be evaluated, not by taking exams, but based on their performance. They will also be given priority in practical and entrepreneurship training.
The city government said that it will double up the salary and research funds offered to the best cybersecurity experts. In addition, a 2 million yuan in subsidies and 100 million yuan in funding will also be given if experts have typical technologies that could have a significant impact to the economy.
An education official said during the 4th China Internet Security Conference in August that only about 8,000 cybersecurity majors graduate each year but the country needs at least 500,000 cybersecurity talents.
The government set up a training center for cybersecurity and communication talent in Sichuan Province in January, which aims to train students and faculty on cybersecurity in Sichuan and Hong Kong.
In February, the first special fund for cybersecurity with an initial capital of 300 million yuan was launched by China, which was intended to provide financial assistance to experts and teachers in cybersecurity.
