Have you ever wondered how professionals combat online threats like hacking and cybercrime? The Chevening Western Balkans Cyber Security Fellowship gives fellows the expertise to make the internet a safer place for everyone.
The Chevening Western Balkans Cyber Security Fellowship is an exciting 10-week course at Cranfield University, designed for mid-career professionals who want to tackle the challenges of cyber security. Open to people living in and from the Western Balkans, the UK-based fellowship provides in-depth training through lectures, hands-on workshops, and opportunities to connect with experts. Fellows learn about key topics such as cybercrime, online safety, and digital resilience, gaining the skills to create safer online environments and drive meaningful change in their communities.
Valdet Shehu and Ylli Pjeternikaj are two alumni of the programme who are making a real impact in their countries.
Read on to find out more about their fellowship experiences.
A career-defining opportunity
Valdet Shehu
Valdet works in information security in the financial sector in Kosovo and calls the fellowship a turning point in his career.
‘I’ve always known how important cyber security is for protecting financial data. I applied for the Chevening Western Balkans Cyber Security Fellowship because I wanted to expand my understanding of cyber security at a national and regional level, not just in finance.’
During the programme, Valdet learned how other countries manage cyber threats and how policies are shaped around them.
‘The best part of the fellowship was working with other professionals from the Western Balkans and understanding the bigger picture of cyber security in our region.’
Valdet’s journey didn’t stop there. Along with two other fellows, he helped create an advanced cyber security platform for government bodies in Kosovo, supported by the FCDO.
‘This was an incredible chance to put what we learned into practice. The fellowship gave us a unique view of UK and western cyber security strategies.’
Ylli Pjeternikaj
Turning knowledge into action
For Ylli, a prosecutor from Albania, the fellowship provided practical tools to fight the growing problem of cybercrime.
‘This fellowship gave me both practical and theoretical knowledge through lectures, study visits, and exchanges of best practices at top UK institutions.’
The research Ylli conducted on cyber violence during his fellowship has gained attention at professional conferences and libraries. He is now using this momentum to create a guide for judges and prosecutors in Albania to handle online crimes more effectively.
Ready to make a difference?
The Chevening Western Balkans Cyber Security Fellowship is more than just learning—it’s about taking action. Fellows like Valdet and Ylli are applying their knowledge to create safer online environments in their countries, from launching cyber security projects to improving legal frameworks. Their stories show how the fellowship helps professionals address critical cyber security challenges and drive real change.
If you’re passionate about tackling online threats and want to help build a safer digital future in the Western Balkans, this fellowship is your opportunity to grow and make a difference.
Applications are open until Tuesday 4 March 2025, 12:00 pm (GMT).
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