The University of Malta, located in the Mediterranean island of Malta, has initiated a master’s program that specializes in distributed ledger technology (DLT) and blockchain topics.
Malta is commonly referred to as the ‘blockchain island’ because of its favorable attitude towards blockchain technology, and especially cryptocurrencies. While the rest of the world is majorly focusing on merely understanding and even curbing the rise of digital currencies, Malta continues to see crypto as more than just an opportunity that can develop extra economic opportunities in the region.
In fact, at a time when many nations are still not sure what to do with digital currencies and blockchain technology, the Prime Minister of Malta, Joseph Muscat, made it very clear that his country is on the path to become the “global trailblazer” in blockchain technology. In 2017, he introduced a comprehensive plan to ensure that he would achieved that.
“We must be on the frontline in embracing this crucial innovation, and we cannot just wait for others to take action and copy them,” said the Prime Minister of Malta. “We must be the ones that others copy.”
Last year, the parliament of Malta unanimously passed three blockchain friendly legislations that essentially laid the groundwork for socio-economic integration of blockchain in the region. In lieu of these positive developments, major blockchain companies with promising digital currency projects are planning to move into the country.
It is noteworthy that not many nations globally hold similar friendly perspectives. In fact, in the recent G20 summit, the most powerful economics of the world unanimously called for greater scrutiny of stablecoins such as Facebook’s Libra and agreed that in case of any failure to address the concerns and threats that the technology poses, swift action could be taken against the launch of any such supposedly threatening digital currency.
The newly launched master’s program at the University of Malta will allow a diverse body of students from various disciplines to learn how to code and utilize blockchain technology, and how to create smart contracts. In this manner, the leadership of the country hopes that blockchain technology will integrate lastingly into the socio-economic landscape of the country.
In the summer of last year, the University of Malta announced the creation of a blockchain and distributed ledger technology scholarship fund. The scholarship was valued at €300,000 ($335,000) and will be managed by the University and the Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA).
