Online Tech Degrees Go Global as OPIT Celebrates First Computer Science Graduates

A new generation of tech professionals gathered in Valletta this weekend as OPIT, Open Institute of Technology celebrated a major milestone in its rapid international growth story.

The online technology institution welcomed 111 graduates from more than 35 countries for its 2026 graduation ceremony at the historic Casino Maltese, marking the graduation of OPIT’s first-ever Bachelor of Science cohort in Computer Science.

Alongside the undergraduate students, graduates also completed Master of Science degrees in Applied Data Science and AI, Responsible Artificial Intelligence, Digital Business and Innovation, and Enterprise Cybersecurity, highlighting the growing global demand for specialist digital skills.

Founded by ed-tech entrepreneur Riccardo Ocleppo and led by former Italian Education Minister Francesco Profumo, OPIT was launched to help tackle the worldwide technology skills shortage through accessible online education focused on high-demand sectors.

And the growth has been rapid.

In just three years, OPIT has expanded to around 600 students across 92 countries, with ambitious plans to reach 1,000 students by 2027. The institution has also broadened its academic portfolio with the introduction of a Foundation Programme and what it describes as Europe’s first Professional Doctorate in Applied Artificial Intelligence.

The ceremony itself reflected OPIT’s increasingly international reputation, attracting graduates from countries including the UK, USA, Germany, India, Malta, Nigeria, Romania, Italy, and the Netherlands.

One of the biggest themes running through the event was the growing importance of practical, career-focused technology education. Around 70% of OPIT students are already working professionals employed across industries including finance, consulting, cybersecurity, software development, and global technology firms.

Every degree programme concludes with a hands-on capstone project tackling real-world challenges. Recent projects explored AI-driven anti-money laundering systems, predictive modelling for climate disasters, responsible AI governance, and cybersecurity risk management.

The event also featured contributions from several prominent figures in the global technology and education sectors, including Matt Symonds and Zorina Alliata, whose keynote focused on artificial intelligence, innovation, and digital transformation.

As businesses worldwide continue racing to adopt AI, automation, and cybersecurity technologies, institutions like OPIT are positioning themselves at the centre of the next wave of global digital education.

OPIT - Open Institute of Technology launches accessible online Foundation Programme for technology degrees

OPIT, the Open Institute of Technology, which is a foremost online tech higher education institution, has launched a new Foundation Programme. 

A fully online Pre-Tertiary Certificate designed to prepare students for entry into undergraduate degrees in technology and digital disciplines.

The programme is aimed at students who don't yet meet traditional entry requirements for degree-level study, plus career changers and learners returning to education. 

It provides academic preparation across core areas including digital literacy, mathematics, communication and introductory technology subjects.

The Foundation Programme is delivered entirely online and combines live and recorded teaching with independent study. 

Students receive daily academic support from tutors and access to OPIT’s AI-based learning assistant, which provides 24/7 personalised guidance and exam preparation.

OPIT is aligned with the European Qualifications Framework and is recognised by World Education Services (WES), allowing students to use their qualifications for further study internationally.

“Education shapes our future. Yet, as the world runs fast, traditional higher education struggles to keep pace,” Riccardo Ocleppo, Founder of OPIT  told That's Technology.

The foundation programme allows those who don’t have access to usual routes of higher education, due to personal circumstance, age or location, the chance to learn from the world leading tech professors digitally. 

Teaching is delivered by an international faculty with professional experience across business, technology and digital industries. OPIT’s teaching approach emphasises applied learning and practical skills, alongside core academic competencies required for university-level study.

The Foundation Programme is designed as a one year, 60 credit pathway that students can complete from any location, offering an accessible option for those unable to relocate or pursue fulltime, campusbased study. It is particularly aimed at international learners and working professionals who need a flexible route into higher education.

In addition to academic preparation, the programme is positioned as a pathway into OPIT’s undergraduate degrees, including courses in computer science and digital business. OPIT’s degree programmes are designed to be career-aligned and focused on employability within technology-driven sectors.

Student feedback from OPIT’s wider programmes highlights the role of flexible delivery in supporting career transitions. One graduate described OPIT as suitable for learners “looking to pursue a new career while juggling other responsibilities,” citing the combination of remote study and academic support.

OPIT programmes are also designed to be affordable relative to traditional university pathways, with the aim of widening access to higher education for global learners.

Beyond its role as an entry route, OPIT emphasises that the Foundation Programme carries significant academic value, equipping learners with the foundational competencies essential for success in modern technology degrees. 

By strengthening critical thinking, problemsolving abilities and digital fluency, the programme helps bridge gaps that often prevent students from progressing in STEM fields. 

Early cohorts have demonstrated increased confidence, stronger academic performance in subsequent studies and greater readiness for the demands of universitylevel coursework, evidence of the programme’s impact in widening participation and supporting longterm student achievement.

Applications for upcoming intakes of the Foundation Programme are now open, with OPIT accepting students who meet its academic and English language requirements.

https://www.opit.com