By Rosemary Etim Bassey
A Nigerian-born academic at Louisiana State University, Dr Aisha Ali Gombe, is taking cybersecurity training to a new level after securing a $1 million grant from Google in May 2026 to expand a student-led cybersecurity clinic she founded.
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The clinic, launched in 2023 under her leadership, is designed to give university students real-world experience in cybersecurity while also helping protect essential services across Louisiana. These include water treatment plants, oil facilities, chemical industries, and other systems that communities rely on every day.
With the new funding, the programme is expected to grow significantly—both in reach and in the number of students involved. It will now extend its services beyond small businesses to include critical infrastructure sectors that are increasingly targeted by cyberattacks.
Explaining the importance of initiatives like this, Maab Ibrahim, Head of Knowledge, Skills and Learning for the Americas at Google.org, said modern society depends heavily on strong cyber defence systems.
“Navigating the recent increase in disruptive cyberattacks on essential services, from local power grids to hospitals, will rely on a strong cyber workforce capable of defending against everyday threats. Cyber clinics are a crucial part of this effort. They give students the hands-on experience they need to start careers, while at the same time providing vital, no-cost security services to local organizations that need them most,” she said.
At Louisiana State University, the clinic trains students from engineering and business backgrounds in cybersecurity. Participants also work toward industry certifications before going on to carry out free security assessments and educational workshops for small businesses across the state.
The expansion will now open doors for students from all academic disciplines, not just engineering or business. It will also increase training capacity and deepen the technical exposure students receive.
Over the six-year grant period, the clinic is expected to train about 213 students—a 17 percent increase from current levels. These students will gain practical skills in securing IT systems, operational technology, and industrial control systems, while also earning recognised industry certifications.
Dr. Aisha Ali Gombe is an Associate Professor at Louisiana State University with a strong academic background spanning Nigeria and the United States. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Abuja in 2005, before going on to complete an MBA at Bayero University, Kano in 2011.
She later moved to the United States, where she obtained a Master’s degree in Computer Science (2012) and a Ph.D. in Engineering and Applied Science (2017), both from the University of New Orleans. Her academic and professional journey reflects a blend of technical expertise and leadership training, which now feeds into her work in cybersecurity education and research.
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