Words: David Revagliatte
On Thursday 28th February, over 50 of Gibraltar’s finance professionals attended a workshop which aimed to educate and inform delegates on the benefits of blockchain technology.
The event, hosted by the University of Gibraltar and the Blockchain Innovation Centre (BIC), was the second event of its type in Gibraltar and covered a diverse agenda of sessions all of which were delivered by experts Eddy Travia and Jean-Louis Carrara from Coinsilium. Eddy Travia is a pioneer within the blockchain space having co-founded Coinsilium, a London-quoted blockchain investment firm and a leading provider of blockchain training. On his involvement with the workshop, he said; “Without the right type of education, no blockchain or cryptocurrency ecosystem can survive and thrive. In fact, since we started Coinsilium in 2013, one of the main things we’ve been doing is education people all around the world on the benefits of this technology. Events and workshops like this are very important for the adoption of blockchain”.
The first workshop took place in November last year was also a collaboration between the BIC and University, both of which were keen to host a follow-up event. Denise Matthews, Operations Manager for the GSX Group’s Blockchain Innovation Centre said; “It has been a privilege to have Eddy and Jean-Louis as our trainers for the second BIC workshop in collaboration with the University of Gibraltar. The level of expertise they bring and their willingness to participate is further evidence of how Gibraltar is working towards becoming a global leader in the blockchain technology space”.
For its part, the University of Gibraltar is expanding its educational offer within blockchain. Nadine Collado, Chair of its New Technologies in Education Group spoke about the latest course being offered, “To coincide with today’s second educational workshop in Blockchain we are delighted to launch our ‘PCC in Blockchain & Smart Contracts’ course. This qualification is comprised of an intensive 6 day course (in two tranches) with practical case study scenarios which will allow the learner to have a working and technical knowledge of the Blockchain Space”.
The day combined both taught and more hands-on, interactive sessions which invited delegates to use their smartphones to set up their own Wallets and learn how to transfer currency. Attendees were also invited to Startup Grind Gibraltar’s Fireside Chat at the World Trade Center.
