The government of Gibraltar has revealed the launch of a new advisory group focused on creating education courses covering new technologies such as blockchain. The New Technologies in Education (NTiE) group will be a joint initiative between the government and the University of Gibraltar in collaboration with several tech companies based in the country. The move aims to address the growing demand for related skills, the government stated on Thursday. Entrance, University of Gibraltar, https://www.unigib.edu.gi/ The new courses, which are expected to commence later this year, will concentrate on educating individuals on the workings and potential applications of blockchain technology and will comprise inputs from blockchain companies based in Gibraltar. Gibraltar’s department of education is a partner in the initiative. John Cortes, minister for education, stated: “Improving the way we prepare our young people within the schools in digital technology in all its forms is a critical part of our plans for education.” Gilbert Licudi, the Gibraltar minister with responsibility for the University of Gibraltar, stated the initiative demonstrated the country’s strong commitment to forming new generations and professionals on cutting-edge technologies and address new skills requirements. “Providing access to innovative courses with expert input from those using this technology in the private sector is a vital component in the development of a sustainable blockchain technology (DLT) commercial community in Gibraltar,” Licudi stated. Members of the advisory group comprise several professors and executives of the University of Gibraltar, beyond David Parody, chair of the Gibraltar Association of New Technologies, and Paul Astengo, senior executive of Gibraltar Finance. Nadine Collado, group chair of NTiE and director of professional development and short courses at the University of Gibraltar, stressed the university’s commitment to developing and enhancing expertise in technologies such as blockchain, DLT, coding and smart contracts across the education sector. “We are already scheduling a variety of offerings, to comprise a Professional Certificate of Competence within this area,” she noted. Gibraltar’s dedication to prepare new generations to cutting-edge technologies encompassing blockchain comes in line with the government’s desire to turn the country into a leading blockchain and cryptocurrency hub. In January 2018, the British Overseas Territory became the first jurisdiction globally to introduce legislation around DLT. Earlier this month, UK cryptocurrency exchange Coinfloor became the first company to gain a license under Gibraltar’s blockchain-specific legislation, as per the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission’s website. In July, the Gibraltar Stock Exchange launched its Gibraltar Blockchain Exchange (GBX), a multifaceted initial coin offering (ICO) and trading platform.