Diploma in Distributed Multi-Agent Communications
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in distributed multi-agent communications, structured in 8 modules covering multi-agent systems, ad hoc wireless networks, DDS and ROS 2 middleware, distributed algorithms, task-oriented communication, security and interoperability, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Distributed Multi-Agent Communications — studying from Malta
Malta's defence sector is comparatively small, reflecting the country's neutrality and modest armed forces. Activity centres on the Armed Forces of Malta, maritime surveillance, border security and the associated technical support. Engineering roles are mostly found in equipment maintenance, communications, infrastructure and government procurement rather than large-scale defence manufacturing. Professionals may find opportunities through public service and contractors supplying the armed forces and related agencies, where reliability and compliance with national procurement rules are important.
Fees for Malta: €1,090 (Euro), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Malta
Typical roles
Questions from Malta
Which bodies regulate defence and military engineering work in Malta?
Malta's Armed Forces and the Ministry responsible for defence oversee military engineering and procurement. General engineering practice is regulated by the Chamber of Engineers (KSU) under the Engineering Profession Act. Export and dual-use controls follow EU and national rules. A SEIUM qualification is private and not accredited, so any recognition depends on employers or the relevant authority.
What career paths exist in Malta for land systems and defence engineering?
Opportunities in Malta are limited and mostly within government, the Armed Forces and their suppliers, with more substantial defence industry work typically found abroad. Many roles require security clearance and specific experience. A private qualification can support your profile, but you should expect employers to focus on experience and clearance eligibility.
How do I study this from Malta, and what should I consider about workload and funding?
The programme is delivered fully online in English, with an assigned technical tutor and a final project. You do not need a visa to study from home in Malta. Durations range from 300 to 1,900 hours, so plan time alongside any work commitments. Ask about instalment payments and whether employer sponsorship is available.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand multi-agent systems and their protocols.
Design wireless ad hoc networks.
Configure communication middleware such as DDS.
Apply distributed consensus algorithms.
Optimise communication according to the task.
Secure communications between agents.
Integrate interoperability standards into real applications.
Who it's for
- Distributed systems engineers.
- Wireless network engineers.
- ROS 2 developers.
- Multi-agent systems specialists.
- Robotics engineers working with cooperative robots or drone swarms.
- Communications researchers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into defence.
What you'll work with
- OMG DDS 1.4 (Data Distribution Service)
- OMG DDS Security 1.1 (security for DDS)
- IEEE 802.11s (wireless mesh networking)
- STANAG 4586 (UAV control system interoperability)
- SAE AS5669A (JAUS transport specification)
- IEEE 1588-2019 (Precision Time Protocol)
- RFC 3626 (OLSR routing)
- RFC 3561 (AODV routing)
- ns-3
- ROS 2
- JADE
- OMNeT++
- Eclipse Cyclone DDS
8 modules
1.1Agents and environments1.2Agent architectures1.3FIPA protocols1.4The BDI model1.5Coordination between agents1.6Consensus1.7Explicit and implicit communication1.8Shared ontologies1.9The JADE platform1.10Practical exercise: cooperative agents in JADE
2.1MANET, VANET and FANET networks2.2IEEE 802.11s mesh2.3AODV, OLSR and BATMAN routing2.4Delay-tolerant networks2.5Mobility models2.6Network capacity2.7Interference2.8Quality of service2.9Network simulation2.10Laboratory: OLSR in ns-3
3.1The OMG DDS standard3.2Communications in ROS 23.3The MQTT protocol3.4The ZeroMQ library3.5DDS quality of service policies3.6Participant discovery3.7DDS Security3.8Performance and latency3.9Real time3.10Workshop: QoS configuration in DDS
4.1Consensus with Paxos and Raft4.2Gossip protocols4.3PTP clock synchronisation4.4Leader election4.5Byzantine fault tolerance4.6CRDT structures4.7Distributed estimation4.8ADMM distributed optimisation4.9Scalability4.10Case study: Raft consensus between robots
5.1Value of information5.2Semantic compression5.3Limited bandwidth5.4Event-triggered control5.5Learning to communicate5.6Message prioritisation5.7Latency and age of information5.8Edge processing5.9Performance evaluation5.10Practical exercise: event-triggered control
6.1Node authentication6.2Group key management6.3Sybil attacks6.4Link interference6.5Detection of malicious nodes6.6Network resilience6.7Privacy6.8SROS26.9Security testing6.10Case study: threats in a drone network
7.1STANAG 45867.2The MAVLink protocol7.3The JAUS architecture7.4Emergencies7.5Logistics7.6Precision agriculture7.7Defence7.8Field trials7.9Lessons learned7.10Case study: MAVLink-DDS gateway
8.1Scenario and agents8.2Communication requirements8.3Network topology8.4Selected middleware8.5Coordination algorithms8.6Security8.7Simulation8.8Evaluation of results8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it fits around your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ns-3, ROS 2, JADE, OMNeT++ and Eclipse Cyclone DDS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: ad hoc network simulation, DDS middleware testing and field trials with cooperative robots. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: OMG DDS 1.4, OMG DDS Security 1.1, IEEE 802.11s, STANAG 4586, SAE AS5669A, IEEE 1588-2019, RFC 3626, RFC 3561.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with ns-3, ROS 2, JADE, OMNeT++ and Eclipse Cyclone DDS, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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