Source:

• EFMD Global, published on April 10th, 2026

Source:

• Times of India, published on May 20th, 2026

The Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) is a top destination for learners seeking degrees in Data Science, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, and Artificial Intelligence. The institute’s goal is to ensure that high-quality tech education is accessible and affordable to all. But what’s it really like to study with OPIT?

Student Cristobal Bragagnolo recently spoke with Greta Maiocchi, Head of Marketing and Admissions at OPIT, and Sara Ciabattoni, a Senior Class Coordinator. Cristobal opened up about his experiences learning with OPIT, including how he balanced his studies with other commitments, and the benefits of the industry-first course material.

Quick Summary

• OPIT offers tech courses focused on hands-on experience and the intersection between technology and leadership.
• Courses are held remotely, utilizing online lectures and pre-recorded content.
• Students can also attend events and collaborate with their peers.
• Coursework can be completed at any time as long as it supports the completion of regular assessments.
• Many students get the opportunity to work on meaningful projects that support their future career goals.

The Realities of Online Learning

Attending an entirely online course requires self-discipline and self-motivation. Many OPIT learners have careers and may be balancing several responsibilities already. Some have to juggle parenting or other caring responsibilities alongside studying and work, making it even more difficult to find the time to study.

Thankfully, OPIT’s courses are entirely flexible, so students can view recorded lectures at times convenient to them. Assessments are spread evenly throughout the term, removing the stress of one major exam at the end of the course. This approach also encourages students to focus on the current module, rather than cramming several modules at once.

Cristobal is studying for an MSc in Responsible AI while he continues his career as a biologist at a university in Spain. He’s exploring the crossover between AI and biology, utilizing the knowledge gained from OPIT to create an app that could change the methodology of plant research.

He notes that studying for his Bachelor’s degree was exhausting. By contrast, the ability to study on weekends or late afternoons has been “life changing.” Asynchronous studying means Cristobal can take a break when he’s overwhelmed and jump right back in when he has the energy.

How OPIT’s Platform and Community Support Students

The OPIT platform is intuitive, and students get support every step of the way. As well as the online services, every course has a class or program coordinator. These individuals are here to help with onboarding, reminding learners of important deadlines and course milestones, and supporting individual students as they face their specific challenges. Students can message coordinators through the online platform or book a one-to-one session during their office hours.

Coordinators offer one pillar of support, with experienced faculty members forming a second. A third pillar comes in the form of annual events like careers fairs, which bring students together in the “real world.” But as a course coordinator, Sara notes that there is a fourth pillar of support: the students themselves. The community of OPIT students spans over 90 countries, and they regularly communicate, collaborate, and even mentor each other, adding another layer of support and education to these already rich courses.

Cristobal reiterated that it’s been easy to speak to coordinators and lecturers when needed: “(W)here I have a question, I can talk with a real person, not with a bot; not send an email and hope that you get an answer in a week. You just book a meeting, you get your doubt answered, and it has been great.”

Overcoming Challenges: Practical Solutions for Mastering Balance

Juggling studies, a job, and personal life can be challenging. Cristobal has found that the best way to address this is to dive into the real-time lectures when he has the time. When life gets busy, he sets time aside to catch up with his studies on a less hectic Saturday.

He recalled that during the first semester of his MSc course, he had plenty of free time to study alongside other students. When it came to the second semester, though, suddenly he was working more hours and contributing to two academic papers. He eventually landed on watching the videos during meals and working through the materials in his spare weekend time. However, in order to maintain balance and a fulfilling personal life, Cristobal still tries to ensure he keeps every Sunday free for some “me time.”

OPIT’s Industry-First Approach Prepares Students for Future Work Opportunities

The MSc in Responsible AI is just one course that prepares students for real-life jobs, from data analysts to AI consultants. Cristobal remembers that he was initially not as concerned about the “Responsible” part in the course title – he just wanted to learn the technical and academic details. But he now says that learning about using AI in the real world in a responsible way “…was one of the most impactful things…” about the course.

From working with human-centered AI experts to meaningful Capstone projects to life-changing internships, OPIT takes an industry-first approach throughout its courses. Students aren’t just learning technical theory. They’re gaining hands-on experience they can apply throughout their careers, and use to impress potential future employers.

Key Takeaways

• Students enjoy how the online material and asynchronous learning promote work-study-life balance.
• It’s easy to connect with other students and faculty members.
• OPIT’s industry-first approach augments student experiences with real-world knowledge and skills.

Discover the OPIT Student Experience for Yourself

Even though you’re learning remotely with OPIT, you’re never alone. You’re part of a class of enthusiastic learners, all with diverse career goals. You gain access to an expert faculty, and you get the opportunity to connect with top industry professionals and firms, with whom you can maintain relationships even after your studies have finished.

If you want more information on OPIT courses, get the brochure and discover how you can unlock the next stage of your future in tech.

FAQs

What’s it like to be a student on an OPIT course?

OPIT students report overwhelmingly positive experiences with their studies, praising the exceptional platform and faculty, and the ability to study while maintaining a career.

Are all OPIT courses completed completely remotely?

Yes, every course offers completely online course material, with a combination of live-remote lectures and recorded study materials. In the final terms of some courses, students may get the option to work on a collaborative project or pursue internships with industrial partners. Students can also attend events created specifically to help learners become part of an active community while networking and furthering their potential future opportunities.

How long does it take to complete an OPIT remote course?

Each course has its own timeframe – many offer different course lengths for additional flexibility. For instance, the BSc in Computer Science is a three-year course, while the MSc in Responsible Artificial Intelligence can be completed in one-and-a-half or two years.

More and more students are turning to careers in computer science, and it’s easy to see why. The world is becoming increasingly reliant on and powered by modern technology with every passing day.

Emerging innovations like artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing are set to change the face of countless industries. This means qualifications in computer science unlock the doors to countless job opportunities.

However, this is also a dynamic and rapidly changing field – a field that demands a distinct set of core skills to not only achieve success, but also future-proof your career for years to come.

The Importance and Value of Computer Science and Cloud Computing Qualifications

Official statistics show that the European cloud computing market is set to experience an astonishing compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of almost 23% in the coming years, moving from a value of €110 billion in 2024 to a lower-end estimate €250 billion by 2028, and it won’t stop there.

The same sort of growth is being seen across the full spectrum of computer science fields and industries, with emerging technologies like AI, automation, and edge computing all spearheading the surging value and importance of these sectors.

The increasing shift away from conventional computing towards cloud computing shows just how quickly the technological world changes and evolves. It also demonstrates the need for professionals with a wide and varied range of skills, plus the ability to adapt to rapidly changing situations.

Those who can bring these skills to the table, supported by a comprehensive education and effective computer science qualifications, can enjoy:

• Entry into job markets that have exceptionally high levels of demand.
• Diverse career opportunities in fields that range from AI and machine learning to computer engineering and software development.
• Competitive salaries, with consistently high rates offered all around the world.
• Job security and stability, given the ever-increasing significance of technology in the modern world.

Core Skills to Master for Long Careers in Computer Science

Next, let’s look into the actual specific skills that computer science students and aspiring leaders will need to master to secure their futures.

Programming Languages

Being able to work with code is the bedrock of almost any career in computer science. Aspiring scientists will need to master one or several programming languages, including Java for building business and web apps, Python for web development, and C++ for system programming.

Networks and Architectures

Computer scientists also need a strong core knowledge of the fundamentals of the computing world, like how networks function, the various protocols and architectures that control the flow of data from device to device, etc.

Algorithms and Data

Algorithms play a fundamental role in fields like AI and machine learning, so computer scientists must understand how different algorithms and data structures drive computing processes, problem-solving, and development.

Software Development

Computer scientists may spend much of their time working on development projects post-graduation, which may include apps for the web, business, mobile, and more. A strong understanding of the stages of the software development lifecycle and processes involved is, therefore, essential.

Cloud Computing

With cloud computing growing in importance, unlocking whole new fields, like software as a service (SaaS) and desktop as a service (DaaS), the computer scientists of tomorrow will also need to have intricate knowledge of how cloud computing works and the potential it holds.

Soft Skills

Along with the many technical skills listed above, computer scientists will also benefit from vital soft skills that will help them when collaborating with others, presenting their ideas, driving innovation in their chosen fields, leading teams, and managing projects. These skills include:

• Being able to communicate effectively, both with fellow computer scientists and non-technical audiences as well
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills that help scientists understand and respond to challenges
• Adaptability, so that scientists can keep on learning, evolving their skill sets, and embracing new tech and ideas as they emerge
• The ability to work as part of a team, often fundamental for large-scale computing projects
• Attention to detail that allows you to spot that single line of code that needs fixing, or for tasks like debugging and data interpretation

Get the Best Start With a BSc in Computer Science at OPIT

We’ve seen the skills you need to succeed in computer science and cloud computing for years to come, but one question remains: where is the best place to gain these skills and acquire the necessary knowledge for genuine long-term success?

The answer: the Open Institute of Technology (OPIT).

An exclusively online learning platform specializing in computer science and digital business, OPIT offers a curated collection of online degrees for tomorrow’s technology leaders, including a Foundation Program for beginners, bachelor’s programs, and master’s degrees for the most experienced students.

Why Study at OPIT?

Advantages of studying with OPIT include:

• Accessible and flexible online learning to suit your needs and pace
• A focus on real-world applications of the skills and knowledge imparted
• A leading team of top tutors and professors from diverse fields and nations
• An international community of students with which to collaborate
• Progressive assessment of skills and knowledge, as opposed to exam-heavy schedules

Those planning pathways into computer science and cloud computing are best served by OPIT’s BSc in Computer Science program.

Lasting six terms and worth 180 ECTS credits, this fully remote, online, and accredited undergraduate degree was developed with insights from industry leaders, academics, and employers within the IT industry.

It equips graduates with both the fundamental theoretical knowledge they need to succeed in technology, as well as the practical skills required to enter the world of work and immediately innovate in fields like programming, cybersecurity, data science, AI, and cloud computing.

Like other courses and programs available at OPIT, this BSc in Computer Science provides students with a flexible learning program involving a mixture of recorded and engaging live content, progressive assessment, and round-the-clock accessibility to tutors and fellow learners.

If you feel that computer science or cloud computing is the right path for you, and you want to secure the foundational skills you need to succeed, consider the OPIT BSc in Computer Science to help you achieve your dreams.

Source:

• Times of Malta, published on September 18th, 2025

4 min read

The gathering brought together academics and technology leaders from prominent European Institutions, such as Instituto de Empresa (IE University), OPIT itself and the Royal College of Arts, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the university experience.

The OPIT AI Copilot has been trained on the institute’s complete academic archive, a collection created over the past three years that includes 131 courses, more than 3,500 hours of recorded lectures, 7,500 study resources, 320 certified assessments, and thousands of exercises and original learning documents.

Unlike generic AI tools, the Copilot is deeply integrated with OPIT’s learning management system, allowing it to track each student’s progress and provide tailored support.

This integration means the assistant can reference relevant sources within the learning environment, adapt to the student’s stage of study, and ensure that unreleased course content remains inaccessible.

A mobile app is also scheduled for release this autumn, that will allow students to download exercise and access other tools.

During examinations, the Copilot automatically switches to what the institute calls an “anti-cheating mode”, restricting itself to general research support rather than providing direct answers.

For OPIT’s international community of 500 students from nearly 100 countries, many of whom balance studies with full-time work, the ability to access personalised assistance at any time of day is a key advantage.

“Eighty-five per cent of students are already using large language models in some way to study,” said OPIT founder and director Riccardo Ocleppo. “We wanted to go further by creating a solution tailored to our own community, reflecting the real experiences of remote learners and working professionals.”

Tool aims to cut correction time by 30%

The Copilot will also reduce administrative burdens for faculty. It can help grade assignments, generate new educational materials, and create rubrics that allow teachers to cut correction time by as much as 30 per cent.

According to OPIT, this will free up staff to dedicate more time to teaching and direct student engagement.

At the Milan event, Rector Francesco Profumo underlined the broader implications of AI in higher education. “We are in the midst of a deep transformation, where AI is no longer just a tool: it is an environment that radically changes how we learn, teach, and create,” he said.

“But it is not a shortcut. It is a cultural, ethical, and pedagogical challenge, and to meet it we must have the courage to rethink traditional models and build bridges between human and artificial intelligence.”

OPIT was joined on stage by representatives from other leading institutions, including Danielle Barrios O’Neill of the Royal College of Art, who spoke about the role of AI in art and creativity, and Francisco Machin of IE University, who discussed applications in business and management education.

OPIT student Asya Mantovani, also employed at a leading technology and consulting firm in Italy,  gave a first-hand account of balancing professional life with online study.

The assistant has been in development for the past eight months, involving a team of OPIT professors, researchers, and engineers.

Ocleppo stressed that OPIT intends to make its AI innovations available beyond its own institution. “We want to put technology at the service of higher education,” he said.

“Our goal is to develop solutions not only for our own students, but also to share with global institutions eager to innovate the learning experience in a future that is approaching very quickly.”

• Times of Malta

From personalization to productivity: AI at the heart of the educational experience.

Click this link to read and download the e-book.

At its core, teaching is a simple endeavour. The experienced and learned pass on their knowledge and wisdom to new generations. Nothing has changed in that regard. What has changed is how new technologies emerge to facilitate that passing on of knowledge. The printing press, computers, the internet – all have transformed how educators teach and how students learn.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the next game-changer in the educational space.

Specifically, AI agents have emerged as tools that utilize all of AI’s core strengths, such as data gathering and analysis, pattern identification, and information condensing. Those strengths have been refined, first into simple chatbots capable of providing answers, and now into agents capable of adapting how they learn and adjusting to the environment in which they’re placed. This adaptability, in particular, makes AI agents vital in the educational realm.

The reasons why are simple. AI agents can collect, analyse, and condense massive amounts of educational material across multiple subject areas. More importantly, they can deliver that information to students while observing how the students engage with the material presented. Those observations open the door for tweaks. An AI agent learns alongside their student. Only, the agent’s learning focuses on how it can adapt its delivery to account for a student’s strengths, weaknesses, interests, and existing knowledge.

Think of an AI agent like having a tutor – one who eschews set lesson plans in favour of an adaptive approach designed and tweaked constantly for each specific student.

In this eBook, the Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) will take you on a journey through the world of AI agents as they pertain to education. You will learn what these agents are, how they work, and what they’re capable of achieving in the educational sector. We also explore best practices and key approaches, focusing on how educators can use AI agents to the benefit of their students. Finally, we will discuss other AI tools that both complement and enhance an AI agent’s capabilities, ensuring you deliver the best possible educational experience to your students.

The Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) began enrolling students in 2023 to help bridge the skills gap between traditional university education and the requirements of the modern workplace. OPIT’s MSc courses aim to help professionals make a greater impact on their workplace through technology.

OPIT’s courses have become popular with business leaders hoping to develop a strong technical foundation to understand technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity, that are shaping their industry. But OPIT is also attracting professionals with strong technical expertise looking to engage more deeply with the strategic side of digital innovation. This is the story of one such student, Obiora Awogu.

Meet Obiora

Obiora Awogu is a cybersecurity expert from Nigeria with a wealth of credentials and experience from working in the industry for a decade. Working in a lead data security role, he was considering “what’s next” for his career. He was contemplating earning an MSc to add to his list of qualifications he did not yet have, but which could open important doors. He discussed the idea with his mentor, who recommended OPIT, where he himself was already enrolled in an MSc program.

Obiora started looking at the program as a box-checking exercise, but quickly realized that it had so much more to offer. As well as being a fully EU-accredited course that could provide new opportunities with companies around the world, he recognized that the course was designed for people like him, who were ready to go from building to leading.

OPIT’s MSc in Cybersecurity

OPIT’s MSc in Cybersecurity launched in 2024 as a fully online and flexible program ideal for busy professionals like Obiora who want to study without taking a career break.

The course integrates technical and leadership expertise, equipping students to not only implement cybersecurity solutions but also lead cybersecurity initiatives. The curriculum combines technical training with real-world applications, emphasizing hands-on experience and soft skills development alongside hard technical know-how.

The course is led by Tom Vazdar, the Area Chair for Cybersecurity at OPIT, as well as the Chief Security Officer at Erste Bank Croatia and an Advisory Board Member for EC3 European Cybercrime Center. He is representative of the type of faculty OPIT recruits, who are both great teachers and active industry professionals dealing with current challenges daily.

Experts such as Matthew Jelavic, the CEO at CIM Chartered Manager Canada and President of Strategy One Consulting; Mahynour Ahmed, Senior Cloud Security Engineer at Grant Thornton LLP; and Sylvester Kaczmarek, former Chief Scientific Officer at We Space Technologies, join him.

Course content includes:

• Cybersecurity fundamentals and governance
• Network security and intrusion detection
• Legal aspects and compliance
• Cryptography and secure communications
• Data analytics and risk management
• Generative AI cybersecurity
• Business resilience and response strategies
• Behavioral cybersecurity
• Cloud and IoT security
• Secure software development
• Critical thinking and problem-solving
• Leadership and communication in cybersecurity
• AI-driven forensic analysis in cybersecurity

As with all OPIT’s MSc courses, it wraps up with a capstone project and dissertation, which sees students apply their skills in the real world, either with their existing company or through apprenticeship programs. This not only gives students hands-on experience, but also helps them demonstrate their added value when seeking new opportunities.

Obiora’s Experience

Speaking of his experience with OPIT, Obiora said that it went above and beyond what he expected. He was not surprised by the technical content, in which he was already well-versed, but rather the change in perspective that the course gave him. It helped him move from seeing himself as someone who implements cybersecurity solutions to someone who could shape strategy at the highest levels of an organization.

OPIT’s MSc has given Obiora the skills to speak to boards, connect risk with business priorities, and build organizations that don’t just defend against cyber risks but adapt to a changing digital world. He commented that studying at OPIT did not give him answers; instead, it gave him better questions and the tools to lead. Of course, it also ticks the MSc box, and while that might not be the main reason for studying at OPIT, it is certainly a clear benefit.

Obiora has now moved into a leading Chief Information Security Officer Role at MoMo, Payment Service Bank for MTN. There, he is building cyber-resilient financial systems, contributing to public-private partnerships, and mentoring the next generation of cybersecurity experts.

Leading Cybersecurity in Africa

As well as having a significant impact within his own organization, studying at OPIT has helped Obiora develop the skills and confidence needed to become a leader in the cybersecurity industry across Africa.

In March 2025, Obiora was featured on the cover of CIO Africa Magazine and was then a panelist on the “Future of Cybersecurity Careers in the Age of Generative AI” for Comercio Ltd. The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry also invited him to speak on Cybersecurity in Africa.

Obiora recently presented the keynote speech at the Hackers Secret Conference 2025 on “Code in the Shadows: Harnessing the Human-AI Partnership in Cybersecurity.” In the talk, he explored how AI is revolutionizing incident response, enhancing its speed, precision, and proactivity, and improving on human-AI collaboration.

An OPIT Success Story

Talking about Obiora’s success, the OPIT Area Chair for Cybersecurity said:

“Obiora is a perfect example of what this program was designed for – experienced professionals ready to scale their impact beyond operations. It’s been inspiring to watch him transform technical excellence into strategic leadership. Africa’s cybersecurity landscape is stronger with people like him at the helm. Bravo, Obiora!”

Learn more about OPIT’s MSc in Cybersecurity and how it can support the next steps of your career.

Source:

• EFMD Global, published on July 29th, 2025

By Stephanie Mullins, 3 min read

• EFMD Global