Empowering the Next Generation: Bridging Academia and Industry
Karachi, Pakistan — 25 October 2025 – Risk Associates proudly continues its commitment to advancing cybersecurity education and professional development by supporting students of NED University of Engineering and Technology through the ISACA Certification Reimbursement Award Program.
Launched as part of the ongoing collaboration between Risk Associates Pvt. Ltd. and NED University, the initiative reflects Risk Associates’ dedication to nurturing the next generation of cybersecurity, auditing, and governance professionals. The program was first proposed by Dr. Aftab Rizvi, CEO of Risk Associates, during his visit to NED University for the MoU signing ceremony, underscoring a shared vision to empower students with globally recognised professional credentials.
At the TechFest 2025 Grand Ceremony held on 25th October 2025, five exceptional students from the Department of Computer Science & Information Technology (NEDUET) were each awarded USD 450 in reimbursement after completing their ISACA CISA and CISM certifications.
The ceremony was graced by Prof. Dr. M. Tufail (Vice Chancellor, NED University), PVC Noman Ahmed, Prof. Dr. Saad Ahmed Qazi (Dean, ECE), and the Risk Associates team, including Kashif Hassan, Managing Director, Risk Associates, and Navaid Naqvi, Executive Director, Risk Associates.
Dr. Aftab Rizvi, CEO of Risk Associates, stated;
“We believe in creating pathways for young professionals to succeed globally. The ISACA Certification Reimbursement Program is part of our broader vision to bridge academia and industry by rewarding talent, integrity, and continuous learning.”
Speaking on the occasion, Kashif Hassan, representing Risk Associates, remarked:
“Our collaboration with NED University reflects our belief that true cybersecurity resilience begins with education. By supporting students who pursue globally recognised certifications like CISA and CISM, we are investing in a stronger, more capable generation of professionals ready to lead the industry forward.”
This initiative reinforces Risk Associates’ longstanding commitment to capability building across emerging cybersecurity disciplines. By helping students achieve certifications such as CISA and CISM, Risk Associates is not only fostering individual excellence but also strengthening the professional ecosystem for information security governance in Pakistan and beyond.
The next round of reimbursements will be awarded at the upcoming TechFest, extending the program’s impact and ensuring continued encouragement for aspiring cybersecurity professionals.
