Hoda Salman

My journey with Blockchain and Digital Currencies began in 2024. At the time, I had very little technical background beyond some programming exposure during my bachelor’s degree many years earlier, and only a basic understanding of blockchain, drawn from articles and a couple of short online courses. What had captured my attention was not cryptocurrency itself-—beyond a general awareness of bitcoin-but the technology behind it. I was especially intrigued by the idea of tokenization and its potential to improve capital allocation, unlock efficiencies, and support development outcomes.

I do not remember exactly when I first heard the term “blockchain,” but I do remember the sense of possibility I felt as I learned more about it. At the time, I was designing an impact investment fund and thinking about how advanced technology could do more than simply automate existing processes – that it could reshape how fund management itself is designed and delivered for all relevant stakeholders.

I then discovered the degree offered by the University of Nicosia, while looking at the LinkedIn profile of a blockchain professional I had spoken to, who was a UNIC MSc alumnus. That prompted me to explore the programme, with the possibility of commencing with the “Digital Currency” MOOC. As I read more about the degree and the student testimonials, I was struck by the diversity of graduates’ professional backgrounds and nationalities, as well as the fact that many had completed the programme part-time while continuing to work. The scholarships offered by IFF made the opportunity even more compelling.

The degree gave me exactly the kind of well-rounded exposure I was looking for, combining both technical and non-technical courses across the mandatory and elective curriculum. I focused mainly on finance-related subjects (such as Fintech and DeFi) because of my interest in applying decentralised technologies to development and impact finance and the emerging field of regenerative finance (ReFi). The instructors brought deep subject-matter expertise to the classroom, and many also shared valuable practical experiences from the industry. The guest speakers added another layer of insight, making the learning experience both relevant and inspiring. I especially enjoyed the course assignments, as they involved critical thinking and deep research – in a few cases turning into a mini thesis!

One of the most valuable aspects of the programme was that it made a highly technical and fast-evolving field accessible without simplifying its importance or over-hyping it. Coming from a non-technical background, I appreciated the balance between conceptual clarity, academic rigour, and practical application. I can now see the opportunities, as well as the challenges and risks, of blockchain and digital assets. Over time, I became more confident engaging with ideas that had initially felt distant or complex, from how bitcoin works to decentralised finance to tokenised assets and, importantly, the governance questions surrounding emerging technologies.

Today, I’m exploring how to bring this new knowledge into my advisory work in innovative and impact finance. The MSc programme in Blockchain and Digital Currency has helped me start to connect blockchain and AI technologies with practical opportunities to support sustainable development in emerging markets and developing countries.