Russia: crypto courses will start in the Universities

Three Russian universities have announced new courses and majors related to cryptocurrencies and crypto technologies. The educational programs will be offered with the start of the new academic year this fall. They cover a wide variety of subjects, including cryptography, blockchain and distributed ledger technologies, alternative payment systems, digital economy, accounting and management. Some of the courses will be taught in English targeting foreign students, but also Russians seeking career opportunities in the international environment of the crypto space.

The Voronezh State University (VSU) has established a bachelor’s degree program focused on studying digital economy and blockchain technology, the institution announced on its website. The new major called “Models and methods for analyzing the digital economy” is offered by the Department of Information Technologies and Mathematical Methods in Economics. Classes will begin from September 18.

The program’s curriculum provides in-depth training in the use of modern information technology analysis. It ensures the universal character of the acquired knowledge, as well as the wide scope of its application in various types of economic activities and at different levels of government, the university said in the statement. The announcement also notes the importance of the development of new technologies and the training of specialists in light of the implementation of the Digital Economy Program adopted by the Russian government.

Three Russian Universities Add Crypto Courses and DiplomasTwo master’s programs in blockchain technologies will be offered by the Don State Technical University (DSTU), its press service announced this week – “Intellectual systems based on blockchain technologies” and “Digital accounting and management.” Students will be taught knowledge needed to develop new information systems and create modern electronic payment methods and structures.

“We offer graduate students [the opportunity] to study in depth the distributed ledger technology. Blockchain is a promising technology that is rapidly introduced in many areas of life. Demand for specialists in this field is growing every day,” said DSTU’s Vice-Rector Alexey Belskopilniy, quoted by RIA Novosti. The MS programs have been developed in cooperation with the University of Nicosia and foreign lecturers will be invited to teach. The Russian university plans to also offer English language courses in the future.

Another Russian higher education institution, the Novosibirsk State University (NSU), is already conducting similar courses in English. In September, its Mechanics and Mathematics Faculty will accept the first 15 students of its MS degree program in cryptography, according to an announcement posted on its website. They will study encryption techniques and blockchain technologies as part of a two-year intensive modular training scheme.

Experts in the field from Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Norway, France, India, and the US, as well as Russian crypto specialists, have been invited to teach. The classes will be held in English in order to attract students from all over the world. The Russian university also hopes to acquire international certification and accreditation for its diplomas.

The new programs are being introduced after last year leading Russian universities announced specialized courses in cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies. Among them are the Moscow State University, the National Research University Higher School of Economics, the National University of Science and Technology “MISiS”, the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, and the Saint-Petersburg State University of Economics. The introduction of these curriculums comes in response to the rising popularity of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and also the strong demand for crypto and blockchain professionals in Russia.