Blockchain technology meeting the future of education head on.
Updated: May 28, 2018
An evening with GLEDOS at The Palace Hotel, Sliema. 
Organised by The Bitcoin Club Malta and hosted by GLEDOS, a blockchain based answer to raising demand for a tailor made and relevant on-demand education for the modern age, Saturday’s event showcased keynote speakers including event organiser Leon Siegmund, a digital native, serial entrepreneur and founder of Ivaja – a bitcoin start up; Professor Joseph Falzon, Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy, L’ Universita ta’ Malta; Elaine Mulcahy, former banker, hedge fund manager and currently chair of the 100 Women in Finance’s Malta Committee, as well as Bostjan Koiritnik, CEO and memberss of the GLEDOS team.
Blockchain is the technology that can be used to create a digital ledger that tracks buying and selling, who owns what or even the provenance of objects. Unlike other centralised databases, the many worldwide versions of it mean it is much harder to hack or to alter.
So how does blockchain work in the field of education?
GLEDOS see an opportunity for blockchain to bring radical change to the universities and other educational content providers - especially the smaller ones - through publicly accessible ledgers of academic qualifications, whereby content providers ratify a graduate’s degree on the blockchain, in theory making it unnecessary for every company to double-check CV content.
GLEDOS also see the opportunity for potentially transforming the entire knowledge flow process, currently in areas where necessary qualifications are clearly defined, such as engineering, as well as for linking global educational programmes to give students life-long learning opportunities, refresher courses and new skills. Content, admission and costs are for the university to set. GLEDOS’s AI capability will provide the learning pathway to allow for ‘Best Fit’ talent search both for students (in the widest sense of the word, including lifelong and continuous learning) and for potential employers. In addition, students will have a clearer knowledge of and focus on developing those skills that will take them into the workplace. With the words of its builders, GLEDOS will be a single place to learn.
Further innovation comes through the way universities places are funded. Currently free education from kindergarten to university is available in Malta. Other countries worldwide seem permanently embroiled in tuition fees and funding issues: the main cause of many student complaints is the ratio of cost to perceived value. Professor Falzon is anticipating potential change in the Maltese system over time and is asking for a radical reconsideration of how higher education is funded and delivered in the digital age.
Saturday’s well attended event was the first stage in the talking process; to introduce Malta to the idea of using these new technologies in order to throw education open globally and to ensure that we are prepared and qualified to step into a new world of work. A thought provoking series of presentations was followed by a lively Q&A session from the floor. This led to a ‘round table’ discussion, skilfully moderated by Sinead Mowlds.
Key points acknowledged by all were that:
· Continuous learning is key for success. Learning does not stop with the issue of your degree or leaving school but must be permanently available, accessible and relevant to allow all stakeholders to compete on the global stage.
· Blockchain technology will open the world in a secure way that includes rather than excludes.
· Positive Disruption in and across the education sector specifically, is essential: schools must teach relevant subjects to allow candidates to access the further education needed for the jobs of tomorrow. Employers must work closely with educators to share knowledge and requirements.
· Managing change and facing the future are essential to being prepared for the new world.
Blockchain is here to stay and Malta aims to be a lead player in this emerging technology. You can read more about Malta, the Blockchain Island in Edition Three of TEMPLE magazine out now.
For more information on.
GLEDOS,
The Bitcoin Club Malta
100 Women in Finance Malta
https://100women.org/location/malta
The Palace Hotel
Updated 28.05.2018 at 10:16am
Copyright: Temple Concierge Ltd
Content supplied by Temple Concierge Ltd
Images Supplied by : Bitcoin Club Malta