From Dundee to Guadalajara: Ethical Hacking students take part in global summer school in Mexico

A group of Abertay University students spent six weeks in Mexico this summer as part of an international learning experience designed to broaden their cybersecurity knowledge and build global connections.

Led by Ethical Hacking lecturer Jamie O'Hare, the students took part in the International Summer School at ITESO Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara, one of Mexico’s leading universities. The programme brought together students and academics from around the world, with courses delivered jointly by visiting international lecturers and ITESO faculty.

For four weeks, the Abertay students studied cybersecurity alongside peers from different countries, gaining fresh perspectives on the challenges facing the digital world.

The trip builds on a growing relationship between Abertay and ITESO, which began following Jamie’s own visits to the Mexican institution. Since then, he has worked to create opportunities for Abertay students to benefit from the partnership, helping them gain international experiences that would otherwise be out of reach.

The trip was made possible through support from the UK Government’s Turing Scheme, which provides funding for international educational opportunities.

Jamie O'Hare said:

Cybersecurity is a global profession, so it’s important that our students understand different cultures, perspectives and ways of working. This experience allows them to develop academically, professionally and personally while building friendships and networks that can last long after they return home. The support provided through the Turing Scheme has been invaluable. Without it, opportunities like this would be beyond the reach of many students. It’s helping us open doors and create life-changing experiences.

Beyond the classroom, the students were immersed in Mexican culture, with opportunities to enjoy a wide range of extracurricular activities. These included a visit to Lake Chapala, a tour of Centro Histórico and the stunning Museo Cabañas, Lucha Libre wrestling events, baseball with local team Los Charros and a couple of World Cup games.

The programme also featured contributions from leading figures in the cybersecurity sector. Jerry Gamblin, a long-time friend of Abertay, travelled from the United States to deliver a full-day masterclass on vulnerability management, while industry experts from AmberWolf, sponsors of this year’s Securi-Tay conference, provided a guest lecture in Spanish. Together, the sessions gave students exposure to specialist knowledge and different professional perspectives.

Reflecting on the experience, student Kieran Bissett said:

Huge thanks to Jamie O'Hare for organising the trip and making it such a brilliant experience. I couldn't have asked for a better lecturer to travel and learn with. Over the month, we covered cloud hacking, Active Directory, social engineering and AI hacking, among other topics. Beyond the technical side, it was amazing to meet new people, experience a different style of teaching and spend time on ITESO's beautiful campus. The culture, the music and being there during the World Cup all helped make it a genuinely life-changing experience, and one I'll never forget. It's great to be back in Scotland, but I'll definitely miss Guadalajara. Thanks to everyone who made the trip so memorable.

The International Summer School runs every year, and Jamie hopes that future funding opportunities through the Turing Scheme or Erasmus+ could allow students from a wider range of disciplines to participate.