On Aug. 4th – 8th, the University of New Haven hosted a national workshop sponsored by and USDOT Tier-1 UTC Transportation Cybersecurity Center for Advanced Research and Education (CYBER-CARE) and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The five-day “Train the Trainers” program brought together around 20 faculty members and researchers from across the country to promote fairness, innovation, and collaboration in data science and AI education. The workshop aimed to establish a Structured Cyberinfrastructure Training (SCT) model to help academia and industry develop unbiased and effective data-driven solutions. Participants engaged in hands-on sessions and cutting-edge demonstrations, such as IPU training and the NSF-supported ACCESS platform, while exchanging ideas on curriculum development, teaching innovation, and stronger ties with industry.

Co-hosted by the USDOT Tier-1 UTC CYBER-CARE Center, the event highlighted the Center’s key role in advancing transportation cybersecurity education and research. CYBER-CARE not only funded and supported this initiative but also continues to foster a nationwide collaborative network among universities focused on modernizing cybersecurity and AI instruction. As Dr. Mohamad Nassar of the University of New Haven noted, “This workshop was not only significant for our university, but also a strong step toward eliminating bias in data science education and closing the gap between industry demands and academic training across the country”.

In addition to its academic goals, the workshop provided a platform for building lasting professional connections and collaborative networks among participating institutions. Faculty members shared best practices, explored innovative pedagogical approaches, and discussed the challenges of keeping pace with the rapidly evolving fields of AI and cybersecurity. Attendees were also introduced to the University of New Haven’s student-centered teaching philosophy and facilities, fostering a deeper appreciation for institutional variety in education delivery. The positive feedback from participants underscored the workshop’s impact as a valuable training event and a catalyst for future research partnerships and national cooperation in cybersecurity and data science education.