Under the Patronage of Princess Sumaya, PSUT and the Central Bank of Jordan Conclude the Seventh META CTF National Cybersecurity Competition

Princess Sumaya: Cybersecurity Is a Fundamental Pillar of National Security, Digital Sovereignty and Economic Stability

Three Messages to Students: Never Stop Learning, Let Ethics and Responsibility Be Your Compass, and Think Like Future-Makers

On behalf of Her Royal Highness Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT), H.E. Prof. Azmi Mahafzah, Minister of Education and Human Resource Development, inaugurated the closing ceremony of the seventh edition of the META CTF 2026 National Cybersecurity Competition. Organised by PSUT in collaboration with the Central Bank of Jordan, the competition was held on the University’s campus, bringing together 29 teams representing 11 Jordanian universities.

The competition featured a series of technical challenges developed by members of PSUT’s Cybersecurity Club. These covered several specialised areas, including cryptography, digital forensics, web security, reverse engineering and open-source intelligence (OSINT), alongside other advanced topics in cybersecurity.

The closing ceremony was attended by H.E. Dr Ezzeddin Kanakrieh, Chairman of the Social Security Investment Fund (SSIF); H.E. Dr Khaldoun Al-Washah, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan; and Prof. Wejdan Abu Elhaija, President of PSUT. It also brought together presidents of Jordanian universities, officials and representatives of public institutions, as well as students and their supervisors from across the Kingdom.

In a speech delivered on her behalf by the Minister of Education and Human Resource Development, Her Royal Highness Princess Sumaya said: “Today, we gather to celebrate the conclusion of the META CTF 2026 Cybersecurity Competition, which, since its launch in 2019, has evolved into a distinguished national platform that brings together young talents from universities across Jordan, providing them with opportunities to learn, compete and innovate. It also reinforces our confidence in the scientific capabilities and creative potential of our nation and its ability to achieve meaningful accomplishments.”

Her Royal Highness emphasised that this year’s competition carried particular significance through its partnership with the Central Bank of Jordan, one of the Kingdom’s established national institutions, which plays a pivotal role in safeguarding monetary and financial stability, strengthening the resilience of the banking sector and reinforcing confidence in the national economy.

She noted that the partnership reflects a shared conviction that knowledge is the foundation of progress, and that investing in Jordanian people and equipping them with the tools of science and technology is the most effective path towards building a strong, secure and competitive economy.

Her Royal Highness stressed that cybersecurity has become a national priority, affecting every citizen’s life, every investor’s confidence and every institution’s ability to fulfil its mission and ensure the continuity of its services. Financial transactions are now completed in moments, while banking services are readily accessible through our mobile phones. Against this backdrop, protecting financial assets, data and systems has become fundamental to economic stability. She highlighted the Central Bank of Jordan’s important role in strengthening cybersecurity, safeguarding financial systems and balancing technological innovation with the need to maintain stability.

She further pointed out that the challenge today lies not simply in achieving digital transformation, but in building the digital trust on which that transformation depends. Cybersecurity has consequently become a fundamental pillar of national security, digital sovereignty and economic stability in an era of accelerating technological change.

Her Royal Highness underscored that building an advanced national cybersecurity ecosystem requires genuine integration among higher education institutions, the public and private sectors, and financial and technology institutions. Such collaboration is essential to transforming knowledge into practical capabilities and scientific research into solutions that can be applied in the real world.

Princess Sumaya added that Jordan possesses the expertise and talent needed to become an advanced regional hub for cybersecurity services. She expressed confidence in the ability of Jordanian youth to turn these capabilities into tangible achievements through knowledge, determination and perseverance. These efforts, she noted, are aligned with the national modernisation process and the Economic Modernisation Vision led by His Majesty King Abdullah II, as well as the special attention His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II devotes to empowering young people in innovation, entrepreneurship and technology.

Her Royal Highness explained that, since its establishment, PSUT has embraced a vision centred on nurturing talent, encouraging critical thinking, and connecting education and scientific research with the needs and aspirations of the nation. She emphasised the responsibility of universities and national institutions to prepare generations capable of creating knowledge and driving innovation, rather than merely using technology.

She added: “The META CTF competition represents this approach and is consistent with the University’s commitment to providing a stimulating academic environment for creativity and innovation, fostering a culture of excellence and intellectual competition, and enabling students to apply their academic knowledge to real-world cybersecurity challenges. It also develops their critical thinking, analytical and teamwork skills, preparing them to become effective national professionals in protecting the digital space and keeping pace with rapid technological developments.”

Her Royal Highness concluded her remarks by delivering three key messages to students: “Never stop learning. Academic qualifications require continuous learning, adapting to change and seeking new solutions. Let ethics and responsibility be your compass, and think like future-makers rather than merely users of technology.”

For his part, H.E. Dr Khaldoun Al-Washah, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan, expressed the Bank’s pride in its partnership with PSUT and its appreciation for Her Royal Highness’s patronage and continued commitment to supporting science and innovation. He highlighted her dedication to empowering Jordanian youth to contribute to shaping their country’s future and strengthening its standing in scientific and technological fields. He also emphasised the competition’s importance in enabling university students to apply their knowledge and develop their cybersecurity skills through practical experience that fosters creativity and teamwork.

Dr Al-Washah explained that, as digital transformation accelerates and electronic financial services continue to expand, cybersecurity has become essential to protecting the financial and banking sectors, ensuring the continuity of their services and maintaining the confidence of their customers. He added that the Central Bank of Jordan is committed to strengthening the sector’s preparedness against cyber threats and developing national expertise as a foundation for sustainable development.

In this regard, the Central Bank continues its efforts through the Jordan Financial Cyber Incident Response Team (Jo-FinCERT), focusing on developing specialised capabilities, raising awareness and strengthening cooperation with national institutions and universities. These efforts contribute to protecting the financial sector’s digital infrastructure and enhancing its resilience.

Dr Al-Washah concluded by affirming that the partnership reflects the Bank’s commitment to strengthening cooperation between the financial sector and academic institutions, bridging education and practical application, identifying promising talent, and preparing young people to contribute to protecting national institutions and meeting the needs of the labour market.

Competition Results

 First place was awarded to Team hypnos from Princess Sumaya University for Technology, comprising Abdallah AL- Dahouk, Ali Sasa, Mustafa Al-Kilani and Hamam Al-Mansi.

Second place went to Team P.R.I.U.S, also from Princess Sumaya University for Technology, comprising Ismael Al-Hindi, Yacoub Yousef, Hamza Alawneh and Omar Al-Shemali.

Third place was secured by Team Gh0stBytes from Applied Science Private University, comprising Omar Mohammed, Mohammed Al-Qudah, Omar Al-Hijah and Hamza Al-Hababseh.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, H.E. Prof. Azmi Mahafzah, Minister of Education and Human Resource Development, accompanied by PSUT President Prof. Wejdan Abu Elhaija and Central Bank of Jordan Deputy Governor Dr Khaldoun Al-Washah, honoured the winning teams on behalf of Her Royal Highness Princess Sumaya. The supporting companies, OffSec and The Rezon, were also recognised, alongside the organising team, in appreciation of their contributions to the success of the competition.