Under the partnership, a MIPT-based Competence Center will be established to train students, conduct research and development of the digital ecosystem, and ensure IT practices in all fields including IoT (Internet of Things) and blockchain technology.
The joint venture will adopt open standards and utilize open source software such as distributed ledger technology.
MIPT intends to establish the training platform and receive prototypes, with the assistance of IBM, which will offer top notch R&D materials, resources for education and other services. Nornickel will offer financial assistance to students, while giving access to its production site to perform research and trial new systems.
MIPT will prepare and introduce master’s and postgraduate syllabus, with the first group of 20-24 students anticipated to begin their studies in autumn 2019. The master’s course in blockchain, which is a four semester program, will encompass Blockchain (DLT), Cryptoanalysis, Graphene Blockchain Tutorial, Theory of Games, Ethereum Blockchain Tutorial, Tokenomics and Hyperledger Fabric Tutorial.
Regarding the need for blockchain specialists, Iris Dzeba, IBM’s Country General Manager for Russia and the CIS, said “The demand for this technology will only grow, so now we need to train specialists with the necessary knowledge and skills, by combining our efforts with leading companies and universities like Nornickel and MIPT.”
Notably, 19 students pursuing masters and Ph.D in blockchain and distributed ledger technology were awarded scholarship by the Maltese government in partnership with the Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA) and University of Malta. The award is given with the intention of preparing the students to face the path breaking changes that will be brought about by innovations.