Reducing Cameroon's technological dependence by training its own experts.

In a context of globalisation and information exchange marked by the use of ICT, e-services (e-government, e-commerce, e-banking, e-learning) can only grow if information itself is secure. Privacy of communications, authentication, integrity and non-repudiation are provided by cryptology and cybersecurity — yet Cameroon still calls on foreign experts and agencies for lack of highly skilled local specialists.

Cameroon has identified ICT as a development tool, implemented nationally through ANTIC. The Centre exists to answer that gap: outstanding training in cybersecurity and mathematical cryptology that reduces technological dependence while promoting scientific development.

The Center for Cybersecurity and Mathematical Cryptology is a multidisciplinary research center operating within the Higher Teacher Training College of the University of Bamenda. By bringing together researchers from an extensive variety of disciplines and institutions, the Center serves as a fusion point for mathematics and computer science.

The Center carries out the most innovative research in Cybersecurity and Mathematical Cryptology. It trains young researchers and hosts postdocs, faculty and special programs — workshops, research seminars, lecture series, cybersecurity tournaments and cryptology fairs, and semester themes ranging from the mathematics of cryptology (algebra, algebraic geometry, statistics, probability) to artificial intelligence, algorithm development, cloud computing, IoT, big data, blockchain, quantum computing and embedded systems.

The Center aims to:

• Provide a space for mathematical and computer science scientists to work together.
• Conduct and foster exceptional research via postgraduate and doctorate programs.
• Integrate research with postgraduate training and young-researcher development.
• Foster ties between academia, national labs, industry and government.
• Facilitate collaboration, secure resources and focus on societal problems.
• Organise conferences, workshops and seminar series, introducing young mathematicians to cutting-edge research.
• Provide scientific review and dissemination of quality papers through publication.

Activities conducted in the center include:

• Research seminars and colloquia
• Distinguished lecture series
• Workshops and conferences
• Semester themes
• Lectures on research leadership, responsible conduct of research and a healthy research culture

The Center is funded by the University of Bamenda and mainly by research grant projects of its various members. It also receives contributions from several industrial partners.

Members of the centre include:

• Fouotsa Emmanuel — Mathematics, Higher Teacher Training College
• Fotso Tachago Joel — Mathematics, Higher Teacher Training College
• Kum Cletus Nkwa — Mathematics, Higher Teacher Training College
• Fomatati Yves — Mathematics, Higher Teacher Training College
• Akongnui Clement Nforbelle — Mathematics, Higher Teacher Training College
• Verdzekov Emile — Computer Science, Higher Teacher Training College
• Atangana Otele Charlie Gael — Computer Science, Higher Teacher Training College
• Konang Rodrigue — Computer Science, Higher Teacher Training College
• Ndukum Pascaline — Computer Engineering, National Higher Polytechnic Institute
• Onabid Mathias — Computer Science, Higher Technical Teacher Training College
• Lienou Jean Pierre — Computer Engineering, College of Technology
• Donfack Hubert — Mathematics, Faculty of Science