Joshua Ellul on Tuesday announced that his term as Chairman of the Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA) has come to an end, and that he will not be seeking renewal.

Prof Ellul will be moving on to focus more prominently on his academic career, after serving as MDIA Chairman since 2018 when the authority was set up. He is currently an Associate Professor in Computer Science at the University of Malta.

The blockchain expert took the opportunity to display the benefits of distributed ledger technology, by revealing that his decision not to seek renewal at the helm of the MDIA was taken some months before. He can prove this because the Professor took the decision to write his statement months ago, and placed it on the blockchain.

With contents placed on the DLT containing a unique and distinct time stamp, Prof Ellul shows the technology’s benefits in terms of transparency and taking the element of trust out of the equation.

Writing on his personal social media page, Prof Ellul said:

“Just over two months ago I wanted to make a statement but felt I should wait to make the statement - yet I wanted proof of my intentions before. #Blockchain provides a solution for this. I notarised my statement using a smart contract (there are many different ways to do so). Now, anyone can verify that I did 'notarise' the statement exactly as is (without possibility of changing it) on the exact date claimed.”

Writing about the Prof Ellul’s departure, the MDIA released a statement to thank him for his leadership and “enormous contribution” to the authority.

“He has been an excellent Chairman and has played a crucial role in the successful development of the MDIA,” the authority wrote.