EDUCATION & RESEARCH
EDUCATION
National College of Ireland
Certificate in Emerging Digital Technologies
BlockW approached The National College of Ireland with a request to develop an online Certificate in Emerging Digital Technologies. BlockW members worked with the academic team at NCI to design the content and the introduction to the Blockchain Ecosystem.
The aim of this Programme is to give employees and employers an understanding of new emerging technologies and how they can be utilised to create opportunities for women and people from under-represented communities in their industry and develop their career prospects. This Programme is funded by Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet and Engineers Ireland are partners to this Programme.
The Programme is targeted at non-Computing professionals who work to understand the latest emerging digital technologies and to integrate them into their workplace. This programme is also available at Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT).
Munster Technological University
Creating Awareness, Understanding and Collaboration.
BlockW supported the development of this project.
Dr Susan Rea’s project deployed students from a wide range of backgrounds to stimulate multidisciplinary Blockchain research, research-informed teaching for Blockchain and accelerating Blockchain innovation. This was designed to enhance external partnerships with other Higher Education Institutions and with enterprise, communities, and related stakeholders in the Munster region, nationally and at an EU level. A key objective was the building of sustainable impactful additional capacity at Munster Technological University (MTU) and establishing MTU as a leader in Blockchain education, research, and innovation.
Dublin City University
MSc in Blockchain – Distributed Ledger Technologies
BlockW and Dr Irina Tal worked together to maximise the potential of this 2-year part-time Masters programme in Blockchain (Distributed Ledger Technologies) by providing resource material, role models and networking opportunities. The programme is supported by Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet and delivered, primarily part-time, by Dublin City University (DCU) in response to industry demand. Working with Blockchain Ireland, Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet identified skills gaps for software developers with the requisite Blockchain knowledge and development skills needed in industry and as a result is co-funding this MSc since 2019 as a direct response to this need.
BlockW Chair member of UL@Work International Advisory Board 2021
Transforming Higher Education
Developing relevant online programmes co-designed with industry to enable upskilling and reskilling for professional development.
Micro-credentials IUA project
is a collaboration between Irish Universities Association Team and 7 Universities. BlockW was an enterprise partner in this initiative with the University of Limerick (UL) team, highlighting and recommending effective strategies for promoting courses and recruiting more women.
RESEARCH
International Association for Trusted Blockchain (INATBA) May 2023
The Chair and Co-Founder of BlockW is a member of the International Association for Trusted
Blockchain (INATBA) Academic Advisory Board since October 2022 and a member of the education working group which wrote and produced the “Adapt and Flourish Report: Web 3.0 Utility and Skills for Success.”
Blockchain Skills Forecast 2024
A series of information sheets on business technical and transversal skills has been developed for business, academia, public service and civil society based on the CHAISE (EU Blockchain Skills for Europe) project and the Adapt and Flourish Report.
Submission on Blockchain Skills to Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education
Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science - July 2022
Submitted on behalf of Professor Joyce O’Connor, Chair and Co-Founder BlockW and Dr Susan Rea, Nimbus Centre Research Director, Munster Technology University and BlockW.
Blockchain Skills Conference: The Economic and Social Research Institute
(ESRI) hosted a National Blockchain Skills event in June 2022, based on the CHAISE project
Presentation by Professor Joyce O’Connor, Chair and Co-Founder of BlockW: “Creating Ireland as an International Blockchain/DLT Hub
ESRI CHAISE BlockW Info Sheet 20 May2022
Information Sheet Blockchain jobs: “What policy makers need to know” which was distributed to all members of the Oireachtas and senior policy makers.
An additional Information Sheet “The future of work in Blockchain: Ireland and Europe” was distributed to a range of business partners
BlockW and Atlantic Technological University Student Scholarship: Summer
2021 - March 2022
A paper was developed and presented at the British Blockchain Association 4th International Scientific Conference ISC2022. Dominic Allen, Trevor Clohessy, Joyce O' Connor: “Developing Educational Awareness of Blockchain: A Student-led Blockchain Research Fellowship”.
Slovenian National Blockchain SI-Chain:
“Exploration of a Test Node” (2020-2021), Chaired by Professor Joyce O’Connor, BlockW Chair and Co-Founder
The Working Group initiated, chaired and provided Secretariat to a Multi-stakeholder Group, policy-makers, industry, academia, and civil society together with the Slovenian National Blockchain SI-Chain to explore setting up a test node. Lessons were learned for future developments.