Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1021976
16 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 2 SEPTEMBER 2018 TECHNOLOGY THE Maltese Government has this week launched a €300,000 fund, through which it will be awarding scholarships to students who are in- terested in expanding their knowl- edge in Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs). In the next three years, students who would like to pursue their stud- ies related to blockchain and DLT, at a Masters or Doctorate level, can benefit from these funds as long as they have 30 ECTS credits focusing on Blockchain and DLTs. Both stu- dents studying on a full time or part time basis will be eligible for these scholarships. A selection board will be awarding these funds on order of merit for study programmes starting at the University of Malta as from Oc- tober 2018. During the launch of this fund, the Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Inno- vation, Silvio Schembri explained that it was the next step after Government drafted the legislative framework that regulates this sector. Honourable Schembri said that there were many foreign investors from this sector that have shown their interest in invest- ing in our country and therefore it is important that our country provides them with the required human re- sources to operate. These companies will not only re- quire technical experts who can build and operate the systems with which they will be operating in the block- chain and DLT sector. It will also re- quire experts in the field of financial services, legal experts and manage- ment positions. This fund was launched in collabo- ration with MITA, as part of its drive to build upon several initiatives with educational institutions like the Uni- versity of Malta, to encourage more ICT students to pursue further edu- cation at a Masters and Doctorate level. MITA's Executive Chairman, To- ny Sultana explained that it is part of MITA's strategy to invest in new technologies such a Blockchain and DLT, while supporting those who wish to expand their knowledge in this sector. Sultana said that MITA has already organised several sessions for its employees and for employees from the public sector to increase the awareness about the best uses of blockchain and emerging technolo- gies within Government. An intensive technical course was also delivered. The University of Malta, through the Centre for Distributed Ledger Tech- nologies, will be administering the scholarship scheme. The University of Malta Rector, Professor Alfred J. Vella said that as an educational in- stitution, the University is working on such initiatives to provide a solid pil- lar in education to sustain the "Block- chain island". He also explained that the national strategy on Blockchain A €300,000 fund for scholarships in Blockchain and DLT