An Ottawa career college has partnered with the Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) to create a military cybersecurity program funded by the Department of National Defence.
Willis College said in a press release Thursday that the partnership will allow it to establish a “high-fidelity cyber-defence training pipeline” at Al-Hussein Technical University (HTU) in Amman, Jordan.
The program will certify HTU faculty as technical authorities, allowing them to provide JAF personnel with defensive cyber-capabilities that meet international standards. The goal is for the program to become permanent and self-sustaining.
The initiative is funded by Canada’s Department of National Defence, as part of its Military Training and Cooperation Program, which provides military education to more than 60 non-NATO countries. According to the release, the investment serves as a digital force-multiplier for Canada’s security and military assistance, reinforcing networks that support border security and regional stability in the Middle East.
Willis College has been providing defence education to military personnel for years, including as a provider of Canada’s Subsidized Training and Education Plan (STEP). The international partnership is a “natural evolution” for the school, which is a longtime training partner of the Canadian Armed Forces.
“Our work with the DND to train the next generation of Canadian Cyber Operators is the foundation for this international expansion,” said Henry Devlin, president and CEO of Willis College. “We are honored to bring that same rigorous, performance-based training to our partners in Jordan, ensuring they have the institutional ‘centre of gravity’ needed to defend against modern cyber threats.”
Secure networks have become increasingly important for military operations, with specialized training needed to meet international benchmarks.
Ismael Al-Hinti, president of Al-Hussein Technical University, said in the release that the approach will create a predictable pipeline of skilled military operators for the country.
“HTU was selected for this program because our cybersecurity faculty and applied laboratories already operate at the standard this training demands,” he said. “By certifying our faculty as technical authorities, we are establishing Jordan’s permanent centre for advanced cyber-defence education — one that builds on Canadian expertise and continues to serve the country long after a single training cycle.”
Willis College will also implement an initiative, led by women in leadership roles at the school, to minimize gender bias and support women entering and within high-tech defence spaces.
