The Cybersecurity Department Enhances Practical Skills through a Specialized Networking Training Course in Collaboration with EarthLink

Duhaa Fadill Abbas
In its ongoing endeavor to equip students with technical expertise and to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application, the Cybersecurity Department at the College of Information Technology, University of Babylon, has launched a specialized training course titled "Introduction to the World of Networking with MikroTik." This initiative was established in partnership with EarthLink Telecommunications, a leading company in providing internet services and digital infrastructure in Iraq.

The course is held on the college premises and spans two weeks, commencing on August 3rd and concluding on August 14th. It attracts a distinguished group of students and professionals eager to deepen their practical knowledge in network configuration and management. The sessions are delivered alternately by Mr. Ali Hussein Falafel, a representative from EarthLink, alongside Ms. Aya Jamal Heidy, a programmer, and Ms. Duhaa Fadel Abbas, an engineer affiliated with the department. This collaborative training experience combines field expertise with a rigorously designed academic curriculum.

The initial sessions focused on fundamental concepts such as router setup and internal network configuration. Topics included the mechanisms for assigning network addresses and enabling automatic connection services through DHCP, as well as an explanation of NAT (Network Address Translation) to facilitate data transmission between networks. Subsequent lectures advanced to more sophisticated subjects, including the configuration of interactive modes between routers, such as the master-slave setup, wherein one router is configured as a wireless broadcast source while the other functions as a signal receiver within a unified network environment.

A distinctive feature of the course was its intensive practical component, which provided participants with hands-on experience using MikroTik hardware and software components. This approach significantly enhanced participants’ understanding of theoretical concepts and boosted their competencies, enabling them to effectively link academic learning with the demands of the contemporary job market.

The initiative received widespread acclaim from attendees, who appreciated the department’s proactive role in adopting such qualitative initiatives that positively impact their professional development. They particularly commended the clear and scholarly methodology of the lectures, which facilitated a precise and practical comprehension of modern network configuration techniques.

This training course forms part of a broader series of scientific and practical activities continuously organized by the Cybersecurity Department to support student skills development and prepare them to keep pace with rapid advancements in telecommunications and networking technologies. Such efforts contribute to the formation of promising professionals capable of confidently and competently meeting the challenges of their careers.