When Raed Shafei was a student at Stetson University, one of his professors showed the class how to stay up to date with cybersecurity news about the latest attacks and vulnerabilities. 

“He taught us how to effectively look for information and shared some resources that equipped me with practical skills I still use every day,” said Shafei, now a Cybersecurity Specialist for a confidential Saudi Arabian government agency.

“I would like to thank Professor Daniel Plante for this. Stetson University prepared me with specialized knowledge and skills that many graduates from other universities lack,” he added.

Before Shafei enrolled at Stetson, he attended a college with large classes filled with a hundred students. Students rarely asked questions in class. 

At Stetson, he discovered a different learning environment. Classes are small and professors know students by name.

“The professors enjoy when you ask some questions and they would help me with the tiniest details and with assignments,” he said. “They didn’t feel like professors as much as they felt like older brothers. That’s why I love Stetson.”

His professors also encouraged him to pursue a senior research project that led him to develop the “Ibn Omar Hash Algorithm,” which provides higher security for data. Shafei published his research in the International Conference on Computational Intelligence and Communication Networks. He continues to work on the innovation and plans to publish an extended version of it.

With his training and skills, Shafei is eager to contribute to his homeland’s ambitious Saudi Vision 2030. The plan has launched a massive wave of development, including new cities, tourist resorts and entertainment complexes. Saudi Arabia wants to diversify its economy, expand tourism, and invest in renewable energy, technology and other sectors.

“I’m excited about it,” Shafei said about Vision 2030. “I’d love to see the things that I’m doing at work help achieve this vision.” 

Shafei is one of a number of students from Saudi Arabia who have attended Stetson and graduated with degrees in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Computer Information Systems, Accounting, Marketing, Political Science and Government, and a Master of Business Administration.

For students, what sets Stetson apart is their ability to receive individual attention and mentoring from world-class faculty. Students then apply their learnings in real-world settings outside the classroom through internships, research and other hands-on opportunities. This blend of rigorous academics and experiential learning ensures they are career-ready after graduation.

This approach benefitted Shafei when he returned to Saudi Arabia following his graduation with a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity from Stetson in 2022. When he interviewed for jobs, he would hear positive comments about his skills. “They would say, ‘I haven’t met any fresh graduate with such knowledge or experience,’ ” he recalled.

Shafei fondly recalls his time at Stetson, located near Orlando, close to beaches and theme parks. The university was founded in 1883 and named after its benefactor, famed hatmaker John B. Stetson. The historic campus features palm trees and fountains and has been named one of the Most Beautiful College Campuses in the southern United States.

“The environment at Stetson is kind of easygoing,” Shafei remembered. “Every time I would go for a walk around the campus, everyone was smiling. Everyone was happy.”