In a first, Kerala to set up Blockchain Academy

The academy is a joint initiative of IIITM-K and the Blockchain Education Network (BEN), a global network of blockchain communities.

Atom Blockchain

State-run Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management-Kerala (IIITM-K) is all set to launch its proposed Kerala Blockchain Academy, the first of its kind in the country in Kerala.

The academy is a joint initiative of IIITM-K and the Blockchain Education Network (BEN), a global network of blockchain communities, and will come up at the Technopark campus, said an IIITM-K statement on Thursday.

According to the KBA website, it has been designed for those with little or no prior experience with Blockchain, wanting to train and transition into Blockchain from other careers.

“It prepares them comprehensively to explore potential application domains as well as use-cases, introducing them to basic principles and operation, experimenting with Smart Contracts and Dapps (Decentralized Applications), along with material from BEN’s world-class training courses and real-life, practical simulations and team exercises. This could be a platform for the blockchain developers to explore the potential opportunities in the industry as well as governance. Moreover, KBA can be a blockchain solution provider to a wide array of businesses in the coming future,” the website states.

As the first step, Michael Gord, founder and CEO, MLG Blockchain Consulting, will launch the website on Friday. Gord is also an Advisory Board Member of BEN, which is a global network of blockchain communities.

The Academy will offer services such as technical meetups and brainstorming sessions, workshops and conferences, hands-on training in programmable blockchains, Ben training course and consultancy, industry partnerships, entrepreneurships, using blockchain in governance and more.

Saji Gopinath, Director, IIITM-K, said the academy plans to explore the possibilities of leveraging blockchain technology for public good, capacity building initiatives and promoting disruptive innovations and entrepreneurship with blockchain technology.

"Setting up the academy will be definitely a leap forward in Kerala's efforts in becoming a national leader in the education, adoption and entrepreneurship promotional activities in the new age technological domains," said Gopinath.