Mastercard has announced a $715,000 CAD partnership with Northeastern University in Vancouver to boost cybersecurity innovation and expand Canada’s diverse technology workforce. The three-year collaboration will establish the Mastercard Professorship Fund and the Mastercard Vancouver Scholarship, focusing on advancing research and creating opportunities for women, BIPOC students, and other underrepresented groups in the cybersecurity field.
Mastercard’s investment aims to address the growing need for skilled cybersecurity professionals and promote inclusivity within the tech sector. The Mastercard Professorship Fund will support cybersecurity research and engage 100 students over the next three years through industry internships, with a focus on providing opportunities for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. This initiative seeks to mitigate bias in learning models and cybersecurity solutions by ensuring diverse perspectives are included in their development.
“Investing in pioneering research and diverse talent is essential to driving innovation that truly reflects and serves all Canadians,” said Mansur Mirani, Vice President, Global Intelligence and Cyber Centre of Excellence in Vancouver, Mastercard. “This partnership combines cutting-edge research with experiential learning, equipping the next generation of leaders to tackle the most critical challenges in cybersecurity and deliver solutions that make a real-world impact.”
Northeastern University, known for its experiential and research-focused graduate programs, welcomes the partnership. “This partnership with Mastercard will give our students an incredible opportunity to actively participate in groundbreaking research in one of the fastest-growing sectors in Canada and produce graduates who will be able to hit the ground running in the cybersecurity industry,” said Steve Eccles, Regional CEO and Dean, Northeastern University in Vancouver.
This initiative reinforces Vancouver’s position as a hub for cybersecurity research and development within the digital economy. Mastercard’s investment contributes to the growth of new talent in the region.
This collaboration builds upon Mastercard’s ongoing commitment to Canadian innovation and technology, expanding on its $510 million investment in the Global Intelligence and Cyber Centre of Excellence in Vancouver. These investments aim to bridge the gap between academia and the tech industry, fostering cybersecurity innovation and ensuring Canada maintains a highly skilled workforce at the forefront of global innovation.
