The fully funded MSc Blockchain Technologies and Business Applications programme represents a collaboration between the University of Technology, Mauritius (UTM) and the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC). The programme will be delivered by UTM and experts from foreign universities [namely University of Applied Sciences in Germany and MIT- ADT University, Pune, India]. 30 candidates will be selected to follow this course based on eligibility and an interview process. The programme is co- funded by the HRDC under the Skills Development Support Programme for Artificial Intelligence.
The School of Innovative Technologies and Engineering (SITE) with the support of the School of Business Management and Finance (SMBF) and the HRDC, along with several other stakeholders from the Industry, contributed to the design, development and validation of the programme content.
The goal of the programme is to bridge the gap between the demands of the industry for qualified professionals in the fields of Blockchain technologies. This programme will empower students to become proficient with Blockchain Technologies while equipping them with the skills they need to design and develop Blockchain-based technological solutions on the local and regional markets and even beyond.
The programme covers a broad range of concepts in blockchain fundamentals and architectures as well as business applications and will help students acquire the skill set necessary to tackle problems amenable to blockchain-based solutions.
This Masters programme in Blockchain Technologies and Business Applications will help the country to become a leader in the blockchain technology and will help position Mauritius as a leader in the field.
Relevant notes:
▪ Successful Applicants will benefit from a full 2-year fully-funded course.
▪ The programme is fully accredited by the Higher Education Commission.
▪ The School of Innovative Technologies and Engineering (SITE), the School of Business Management and Finance (SBMF) and the HRDC, along with several other stakeholders from the Industry, contributed to the design, development and validation of the programme content.
▪ The programme will see the collaboration of two Professors: Prof Katarina Adam from the HTW Berlin University, and Prof Shraddha Phansalkar from the MIT ADT University, Pune, India. These two professors will join the local team of experts to lecture three modules out of the 14 modules of the programme.
Eligible Applicants are all welcome to apply. There will be an interview process and selection for a final list of 30 students for the first cohort who will be starting during the October 2023 intake.
Dinesh Hurreeram
Dr. Dinesh Hurreeram, Director General, UTM:
“The University of Technology, Mauritius (UTM) is firmly positioned to become an education provider of choice for emerging technologies. The MSc Blockchain Technologies and Business Applications is the latest addition to a growing list of Masters Programmes the university is or will be offering, including, for example our MSc Artificial Intelligence, MSc Immersive Media Technologies or still MSc (Eng) Renewable Energy. Our strategy remains the same across all these programmes: to bridge the gap between the needs of the Industry in these particular areas and the skills required to provide high quality graduates to fulfil the growing market. This Masters programme will help the country to become a leader in the blockchain technology and will help position Mauritius as a leader in the field.”
Raj Auckloo
Dr. Raj Auckloo – Director, HRDC:
“Our collaboration with UTM to implement this Masters level programme is part of our ongoing commitment to foster skills development and capacity building, particularly in the context of embracing new technologies synonymous with Industry 5.0. By investing in blockchain training, we are not only empowering employees with valuable skills but also contributing to the growth and sustainability of our local industries. This aligns with our mission to bridge skills gap and enhance the competitiveness of our workforce. The Blockchain training programme will be funded under the HRDC’s Skills Development Support Programme for Artificial Intelligence. I encourage all eligible individuals and organisations to seize this opportunity for skills development and capacity building.”
Clarel Catherine
Dr. Clarel Catherine, Programme Director, MSc Blockchain Technologies and Business Applications, UTM:
“The goal of this programme is to empower its students with a deep technical understanding of Blockchain technologies. In addition, it will also equip them with the skills they need to design business applications and develop Blockchain-based technological solutions for the local, regional, and international market. The programme will cover a broad range of concepts ranging from blockchain fundamentals and architectures to the development of business applications using adapted programming languages. Graduates are expected to significantly contribute to the development of Blockchain in the country, thereby strengthening the local Blockchain ecosystem and creating multiple opportunities for economic growth.”
Harris Neeliah
Dr. Harris Neeliah – Manager Research and Projects, HRDC:
“The scope and the application of blockchain technologies can permeate various industries ranging from healthcare to capital markets. But skills development is a prerequisite for Mauritian enterprises to integrate and use such technologies. This MSc in Blockchain Technologies and Business Applications is built on a demand-led and vocational philosophy. It is one of the several initiatives of the HRDC that aims to upgrade core technical skills at enterprise level to augment internal capabilities to foster technological integration and use.”
• Deadline for Application: 30 September 2023
• Tentative Interview Week: 02 to 06 October 2023
• First Cohort Start Date: 16 October 2023
Requirements:
Only science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students will be eligible for the course, as it requires significant programming knowledge. A Degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics field or equivalent with significant programming knowledge, acceptable to the University of Technology, Mauritius. Furthermore, applicants under the October 2023 intake should be working professionals in private sector enterprises who will apply the acquired knowledge and skills in their enterprise.
The programme aims to provide students with:
• A fundamental knowledge of Blockchain as well as a wide range of transferable and marketable skills related to Blockchain technologies.
• An in-depth exposé of the Blockchain architecture and all the components that makes it operational.
• A good understanding of the legal aspects surrounding the Blockchain, at both national and international levels and an adequate programming proficiency for the development of Blockchain-based solutions.
• Access to a network of business professionals, developers, incubators, associations and other entities that make up the larger blockchain eco-system in the country and beyond.
