Dubai, UAE - The British University in Dubai’s (BUiD) Graduating batch of 2017 were the first in the country and third in the world to receive a Digital, Blockchain Degree during the Graduation Ceremony that was held Under the Patronage of HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chancellor of BUiD, on December 13, 2017 at Al Mamzar Cultural and research Centre. These Digital Degrees have already received the proof of Concept (POC) that is the first step in generating a digital certification using the Blockchain Technology. The concept of digital Degrees is BUiD’s way of showing its commitment towards HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoumn, Vice-President of UAE, and Ruler of Dubai’s Blockchain Strategy of UAE Government and other organizations going paperless by 2020. This project is a result of the collaboration of University of Nicosia and BUiD’s Dubai Centre for Risk and Innovation (DCRI). Dr. Maria Papadaki, Managing Director of DCRI and Assistant Professor at The British University in Dubai was instrumental in bringing the latest Blockchain technology encrypted degrees concept to BUiD and the UAE. Associate Professor, Dr Sherief Abdallah an Academic expert of The British University in Dubai, in the area of AI and Robotics played a vital role in the execution of the project.

BUiD will be the first University in the UAE to issue electronic authentication of its Degrees (Masters and Doctoral) via an online verification tool. Each certificate fingerprint has also been added to Bitcoin's blockchain, a decentralized and distributed digital ledger, offering users (e.g. potential employers) immediate, secure and digital authentication via the new verification tool on BUiD’s website.

The British University in Dubai’s Vice-Chancellor Prof Abdullah Alshamsi who is known for bringing about innovation in every function of the University, strongly backs this initiative of BUiD’s Dubai Centre for Risk and Innovation. He said, “With Blockchain Technology the Graduates’ degrees can be validated using the verification platforms online easily and instantly from any part of the world without having to approach the University or other authorities for authentication purposes.”

Dr Maria Papadaki, Director of DCRI said, “With the launch of DCRI at BUiD our goal is to bring the latest research, trainings and innovation to Dubai utilizing the latest technologies, such as Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security and Risk Management to name a few. Our Digital Degree using Blockchain Technology is our first project to implement these technologies and is done in collaboration with the University of Nicosia, the world leader in Blockchain education and applications. We are currently exploring additional opportunities to bring about Innovation to various Governmental and non-Governmental projects within UAE and internationally.”

The British University in Dubai is the regions first research-based University; it was launched with the main of objective of creating new knowledge and educating knowledge workers in the UAE through its advanced Masters and Doctoral degree programs. It also continuously strives to bring together the Industry and the Government through Open meetings, Research seminars, Research projects, Consultation and training for building sustainable communities in UAE.

-Ends-© Press Release 2017