Dublin City University has partnered with tech company network Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet to create the country’s first master’s program in blockchain technology. The new educational certification was announced by the Irish government’s Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation on May 29.

The “Master’s in Blockchain: Distributed Ledger Technologies” degree is the culmination of ICT Skillnet’s efforts to identify the skills upcoming blockchain engineers need to learn, with the help of blockchain educational hub Blockchain Ireland.

The course is reportedly conducted online as a two-year part-time course, which will begin with its first cohort of students in September 2019. The course is intended for IT professionals working in Ireland, preferably with a Level 8 Honours Degree (2.2) or higher in Computer Science, Computing, Computer Applications or a related discipline.

The acting network manager for Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet, Dave Feenan, commented:

“This new Master’s will provide Ireland will a real opportunity to upskill our already excellent IT professionals, preparing them for jobs of the future. The synergy between industry and education means these professionals will have the practical tools needed to bring the benefits of Blockchain technology to a variety sectors.”

The inauguration of the new master’s program occurred during Blockchain Ireland week, a governmental campaign to raise awareness and support for the blockchain industry in Ireland.

Last summer, IDA Ireland, an agency responsible for attracting foreign direct investment, began a campaign to promote the development of the blockchain industry in the country. With a 12.5% corporate interest rate, Ireland has established itself as an advantageous jurisdiction for tech businesses in recent years.

As recently reported by Cointelegraph, the United States Ivy League University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) has announced that it is offering an online program on fintech, which includes topics on blockchain technology and cryptocurrency. The course is offered by UPenn’s Wharton School division, Wharton Online, and is called “Fintech: Foundations and Applications of Financial Technologies.”