It’s not often you meet someone who excels in two highly technical fields like software development and cybersecurity. Yet that’s exactly what Nur Arifin Akbar has achieved, winning the 2025 Digital Skills Cup in both the IT Developer and IT Security categories—first as the Italian national champion, then at the global finals.
Originally from Indonesia, Nur Arifin is currently a PhD student at the University of Palermo, enrolled in the Marie Curie – EnTrust program. His background is a unique blend of academic excellence and international competitions, with notable achievements such as the EU SocioDigithon and a silver medal at the United Nations’ World Innovation Day Hackathon. At the heart of it all is a clear belief: “Never stop learning.”
What is the Digital Skills Cup?
The Digital Skills Cup is a global initiative led by the Leading Learning Partners Association, a worldwide network of IT training centers. Pipeline, the official partner for Italy, managed the national promotion and recognized the Italian winners.
Nur Arifin’s Journey in the Digital Skills Cup
Nur Arifin approached the Digital Skills Cup with the mindset of someone who had nothing to lose and everything to gain.
“I didn’t expect to win at all. Some of the questions were tough and very specific about Microsoft products. But I trusted my instincts. The key was to keep answering and move forward without dwelling too much.”
That mix of confidence and solid preparation helped him advance through the Italian national round, organized by Pipeline, and ultimately triumph at the World Finals, where he competed against winners from 25 other LLPA member countries. At stake: $3,000 travel prizes and international recognition as a top performer in the digital skills arena.
His Secret? The Fundamentals.
When asked what advice he would give future Digital Skills Cup participants, Nur Arifin was clear:
“Study the fundamentals. You don’t need to know every tool—what matters is understanding how things work. If you have a logical mind and strong math foundations, you can take on any language or technology.”
His approach goes beyond mastering tools—it’s about developing critical, flexible thinking that embraces change.
Beyond Research: Creating Impact
Despite being a researcher, Nur Arifin isn’t confined to academia.
“Research is important, but it’s not enough. I want to build a portfolio filled with experiences and projects that make a real impact. That’s how you develop critical thinking. And it’s how you stay current with technology.”
“AI doesn’t steal jobs. Ignorance does.”
In his closing message, Nur Arifin shares a clear and timely reflection on the world we live in:
“People are afraid of being replaced by Artificial Intelligence. But AI doesn’t steal jobs. It’s lost by those who don’t learn, who don’t adapt. Today, every company, every government, every individual is seeking efficiency—it’s not about AI, it’s about efficiency. That’s why we must keep learning and growing every day.”
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