On October 2, 2026, Middlesex University Mauritius organized the first edition of "Hack the Campus," a Capture the Flag (CTF) cybersecurity competition. The event brought together over 70 students from institutions such as the University of Mauritius, University of Technology Mauritius, VIT, Polytechnics Mauritius, and Middlesex University Mauritius. The competition aimed to identify vulnerabilities, analyze digital evidence, and decode critical information.
The competition, held on the Flic-en-Flac campus, featured 25 teams solving increasingly difficult scenarios in a controlled environment. The challenges covered various cybersecurity concepts, including cryptography, network analysis, web security, reverse engineering, and Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT). Participants accumulated points on a real-time leaderboard by discovering hidden digital flags.
The event addressed the pressing issue of the cybersecurity talent shortage in Mauritius and globally. With the growing adoption of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT), the need for experts who can anticipate and counter cyber threats has become urgent. The competition was sponsored by various organizations, including MCB, General Construction, Quality Beverages, Arrowtech, and Snack SSS Triolet.
Prof. Mari Jansen Van Rensburg, Provost and Director of Middlesex University Mauritius, emphasized the institution's practical approach to education. She highlighted that students are expected to apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios, making the hackathon an ideal opportunity for students to network and develop skills.
Philippe Enjalbal, CIO of MCB, noted that the industry seeks professionals with curiosity, creativity, and perseverance. He stressed the importance of adopting an attacker's mindset to build adequate defenses against cyber threats. Middlesex University Mauritius offers various programs, including BSc Cyber Security & Digital Forensics and MSc Cybersecurity and Emerging Threats, designed to provide students with both theoretical and practical skills.
The winning team, consisting of Shihad Shibchurn and Inshiraah Munir from Middlesex University Mauritius, took first place. The second-place team comprised Oleg Narainen, Caellum Buys, and Dhruv Bisht from the same university. The event facilitated exchanges between students, academics, and industry professionals, reinforcing the university's commitment to providing relevant education.
Sylvain Martinez, Head of Information Security at MCB, Inshiraah Munir, Shihad Shibchurn, and Prof. Mari Jansen Van Rensburg were present at the event. The competition demonstrated the importance of collaborations between academia and industry in addressing cybersecurity challenges. By providing students with hands-on experience, Middlesex University Mauritius aims to equip them with the technical skills necessary to secure future infrastructures.
Key points
- The competition aimed to address the pressing issue of the cybersecurity talent shortage in Mauritius and globally.
- Middlesex University Mauritius offers various programs designed to provide students with both theoretical and practical skills in cybersecurity.
- The winning team consisted of Shihad Shibchurn and Inshiraah Munir from Middlesex University Mauritius.
