Global blockchain specialist ConsenSys announced today the graduation and certification of its inaugural Developer Program class as part of its ConsenSys Academy.

More than 150 guests and students attended a special graduation ceremony at the Emirates Towers Hotel, which included 58 graduating blockchain developers, two of which are from the United Arab Emirates. Graduation certificates were issued on the Ethereum blockchain through the self-sovereign digital identity app, uPort by Akshi Federici, Executive Director of Strategic Projects, ConsenSys.

 

ConsenSys is a global technology company that designs and builds decentralized applications on the Ethereum blockchain. Ethereum, the world’s second largest public blockchain, is an open-source distributed computing platform featuring smart contract functionality.

 

The gathering, which took place after an exciting three-day hackathon, was also graced by the presence of Her Excellency Dr. Aisha Bint Butti Bin Bishr, Director General of Smart Dubai Office, and Mr. Wesam Lootah, CEO of Smart Dubai Government Establishment, in addition to top ConsenSys executives.

 

Since the announcement of the Dubai Blockchain Strategy 2020 by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council in October 2016, Dubai has attracted leading experts and talent from around the globe to help the city fulfil its goal of becoming the world’s first blockchain- powered government. Partners include ConsenSys, whose Dubai-based regional headquarters have grown into the company’s second-largest hub, second only to its Brooklyn HQ.

 

“The increasing global demand for blockchain developers led to the creation of ConsenSys Academy. It is very rewarding to see the first cohort of blockchain software engineers graduate and especially exciting to witness them awarded their Ethereum blockchain-based graduation certificates. These EthCerts will be housed in each graduate’s personal uPort IDs,” said Joseph Lubin. “For this to happen here in Dubai is a testament to the city’s growing reputation as the global hub for blockchain leadership and innovation.”

 

“Hosting this first graduating class here in Dubai is testament to the emirate’s status as a leader in future technologies,” noted Dr Aisha. “ConsenSys Academy’s initiative to address the global shortage in Blockchain developers resonates with our objectives at Smart Dubai. Empowering human resources and equipping them with the necessary skills to navigate the workplace of the future is a key tenet of our strategy, which, in turn, reflects the overarching strategy and mission of the UAE leadership for the foreseeable future and beyond, all the way to the UAE Centennial 2071.”

 

The ConsenSys Academy Developer Program is a first-of-its-kind, end-to-end blockchain training program that began with an immersive online phase. The second phase of the program took place at the Government Accelerators in Emirates Towers, Dubai where student teams received mentorship working side by side with top ConsenSys developers. Projects culminated in pitches presented to Joseph Lubin and ConsenSys leadership.

 

“This course far exceeded my expectations. Not only did I learn the basics but to be mentored by the likes of senior ConsenSys blockchain engineers was just incredible and an experience I will cherish. As an Emirati I must say that I am proud to play a small role in taking Dubai one step closer to achieving its goal of becoming the first Blockchain-powered city by 2020,” said Nasser Alnuaimi, Information Security Officer, Smart Dubai Government Establishment, the first UAE national to graduate from this program.