Dubai Hosts Govt-Backed Graduation of Ethereum Blockchain Developers

Ethereum coder collective ConsenSys has awarded certificates to graduates of its inaugural blockchain developer program in Dubai. ConsenSys is the official blockchain advisor for the city and emirate of Dubai.

On Sunday, Brooklyn-based blockchain development house ConsenSys announced the graduation and certification of its inaugural developer training program, a course operated by the ConsenSys academy. The academy is among the earliest global programs to offer a blockchain curriculum amid a growing demand for blockchain developers around the world.

The inaugural program saw some 1,300 applicants across 96 countries vying to be a part of the 8-week online course that ends with a 3-day in-person coding event where students work on real-world Ethereum blockchain projects alongside developers. 10% of the applicants made the cut and yesterday’s ceremony saw 58 blockchain developers from around the world graduate from the course.
The graduation ceremony was supported by Smart Dubai, a smart-city government initiative established by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum that is both a major endorsement and significantly reliant on blockchain technology. Dubai, which aims to become the world’s first ‘blockchain city’ has already announced its goal to process and record all government documents and transactions on a blockchain by the year 2020.

Aiding the sweeping citywide initiative is ConsenSys, which became Dubai’s official blockchain advisor earlier this year. Its Dubai-based regional headquarters is now the company’s second-largest hub after its headquarters in Brooklyn.

Speaking at the ceremony, Smart Dubai director-general Dr. Aisha Bint Butti Bin Bishr added: