On 10 July 2026, the first cohort of the International Master's Programme in Cybersecurity and Cyberintelligence graduated at the University of Minho's School of Engineering in Guimarães, Portugal.
The joint Arqus Alliance Master's Programme in International Cybersecurity and Cyberintelligence (MICAC) is delivered by four European universities: Vilnius University (Lithuania), the University of Padua (Italy), the University of Granada (Spain), and the University of Minho (Portugal).
Austėja Bauraitė – the first graduate to receive a Master's degree from the Arqus Alliance's International Cybersecurity and Cyberintelligence Programme
Through this joint programme, the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics at Vilnius University (VU MIF), together with its European partners, offers students a unique opportunity to obtain a qualification that is in exceptionally high demand across the labour market.
The International Master’s Programme in Cybersecurity and Cyberintelligence is designed for students seeking advanced, practice-oriented knowledge and skills in cybersecurity. Each semester is spent at a different partner university, allowing students to experience diverse approaches to cybersecurity, gain first-hand insight into different national perspectives, and develop a broad international understanding of this rapidly evolving field.
Applications for the next intake of the Arqus Joint Master's Programme in International Cybersecurity and Cyberintelligence will open on 12 January 2027.
Technology, Geopolitics and Travel
"Constantly travelling and adapting to the requirements of different universities certainly required a great deal of energy, but it was more than worthwhile," says programme graduate Austėja Bauraitė. "The greatest benefit was the opportunity to learn from so many different lecturers. What united them was a shared commitment to delivering high-quality education."
A. Bauraitė enrolled on the Master's programme after completing a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology at the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics of Vilnius University.
She was particularly impressed by the MICAC's innovative structure and its interdisciplinary scope, combining deep technical expertise with studies in international relations.
"It was here that I truly understood how comprehensive cybersecurity is and how deeply information technologies are intertwined with the security of societies and states," she explains. "The interdisciplinary experience enabled me to see how technology shapes the geopolitical landscape and influences both industry and government. I found the legal dimension especially fascinating – understanding the mechanisms being developed to regulate the rapidly changing international environment driven by technological innovation."
The first graduating class of the International Cybersecurity and Cyberintelligence Programme, with their lecturers
Beyond the academic experience, A. Bauraitė highlights the close relationships formed through constant travel and adaptation.
"This programme brought together like-minded people. That sense of community created an academic family and provided an outstanding environment for both professional and personal development."
The joint Arqus Master's programme is distinguished not only by its exceptional mobility opportunities but also by strong engagement with industry.
Graduates are well prepared for careers across the cybersecurity sector, including positions in international cyber threat intelligence teams.
Training Cybersecurity Professionals and Future Researchers
According to the European Cybersecurity Skills Framework published by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), twelve key cybersecurity professional profiles have been identified, each requiring specific knowledge and competencies. These include Chief Information Security Officer, Cyber Incident Responder, Cyber Legal, Policy and Compliance Officer, Cyber Threat Intelligence Specialist, Cybersecurity Architect, Cybersecurity Auditor, Digital Forensics Investigator, and Penetration Tester.
Doc. Agnė Brilingaitė, prof. Linas Bukauskas ir doc. Davide Bresolin
Associate Professor Dr Agnė Brilingaitė of Vilnius University's Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics, who teaches on the programme, believes that graduates will benefit not only from their academic knowledge and teamwork skills but also from the adaptability they developed through studying in different countries and academic cultures.
"Several students have already completed internships with international companies. Others have written scientific papers or are preparing publications based on their Master's research. Their portfolios demonstrate much more than successful completion of coursework and dissertations, they also showcase the programme's broader potential," she adds.
VU MIF professor Dr Linas Bukauskas, a member of the programme committee, is equally delighted by the students' professional and academic achievements.
"Several graduates are already considering pursuing doctoral studies," he says.
Cybersecurity Knows No Borders
The graduation ceremony opened with a welcome from Professor Dr Joana Cunha, Vice-President of the School of Engineering at the University of Minho, who congratulated the graduates and emphasised the importance of international cooperation in higher education.
Associate Professor Dr Henrique Santos of the University of Minho delivered a keynote lecture entitled Cybersecurity and Cyberintelligence: Educating Professionals for an Uncertain Digital Future, discussing the challenges involved in preparing the next generation of cybersecurity specialists.
Professor Dr Gabriel Maciá Fernández, Vice-Rector for Digital Transformation at the University of Granada and one of the programme's academic coordinators, reflected on the development of the programme and stressed the importance of educating highly qualified professionals capable of addressing Europe's growing cybersecurity challenges.
The graduation ceremony marked the culmination of the programme's final week, during which students participated in an Attack & Defence Exercise and defended their Master's dissertations.
Attack & Defence Exercise
Alongside these activities, academic staff from the four partner universities met to review the experience of the first cohort and discuss further improvements, reinforcing the Arqus Alliance's commitment to delivering innovative, international and interdisciplinary education in cybersecurity and cyberintelligence.
According to Associate Professor Brilingaitė, the programme is already well aligned with labour market needs and contemporary cybersecurity challenges.
"The students' dissertations addressed current cybersecurity issues, including the practical application of artificial intelligence and the management of AI-related risks. We are not planning major changes to the programme. Instead, we have reviewed student feedback and identified several refinements to the content and workload of individual modules. For example, we intend to increase the research project component during the second semester in Lithuania, where students develop the competencies required of early-career researchers, including the effective communication of research findings," the researcher explains.
The Northern Anchor of MICAC
"We have a Lithuanian saying: stagnant water breeds decay. Change is always necessary when it brings improvement," says Professor Bukauskas, one of the programme's creators.
Prof. Gabriel Maciá Fernández ir prof. Linas Bukauskas
He notes that continuous development is inevitable given the rapid pace of technological innovation. Drawing on the experience of the first cohort, the programme team plans to further improve the organisation of the semester at VU MIF, student communication and the coordination of academic activities.
Professor Bukauskas also values the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from Italy, Spain and Portugal, while expressing his appreciation for the support provided by the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics, the Study Office and the Vilnius University administration. He also commends the international student cohort for adapting successfully to studying in Lithuania.
The cohort included students from Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa.
"They integrated exceptionally well and were highly motivated to succeed. Some of them saw snow for the first time and experienced temperatures of minus 10 degrees Celsius – I am sure those memories will stay with them for many years," he says.
"They will also remember an educational culture centred on active student participation, problem-based learning and a strong emphasis on meeting deadlines. While adapting to life and study in Lithuania was initially challenging for some students, once they settled in they developed both academically and professionally."
The graduation ceremony also marked an important milestone for the Cyberactioning project, co-funded under the Digital Europe Programme.
The success of the project demonstrates that cooperation between European universities can make a significant contribution to educating the next generation of cybersecurity professionals while strengthening partnerships across Europe's higher education sector.
Photos – Arqus Alliance