BC Business
SFU
The university is embracing technology with the new offerings.
With tech talent so hard to attract and retain in Vancouver and B.C., some companies may be rejoicing at SFU’s announcement that it will start offering master’s programs in cybersecurity and visual computing this fall.
The two programs are fairly novel in their field and are based on what SFU sees as a skills gap in the marketplace. “The School of Computing Science is contributing to closing the substantial gap in skilled security professionals in B.C. and Canada,” said the school’s director Mohamed Hefeeda in a release.
SFU calls the incoming Master of Visual Computing program the first and only visual computing program of its kind in Canada. The university believes the program will benefit several sectors, including gaming and visual effects, as well as AR/VR, autonomous driving and modern agriculture.
Meanwhile, the Master of Cybersecurity will add graduates to an industry that has been booming in the province and country. “Maintaining effective and reliable defenses against cyberattacks is a priority for Canada to protect its national security, critical infrastructure, citizens’ intellectual property and personal data,” said programs director Ali Mahdavi-Amiri. “However, there are not enough experts trained in cybersecurity in B.C. and Canada to keep up with this demand.”
The first cohort of students will begin in September 2023 at SFU’s Burnaby campus.