Blockchain startup Ripple announced that it has expanded its University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI) to Japan, onboarding new partners Kyoto University and the University of Tokyo.

Describing the country as a “leading force” in the crypto and blockchain industry, Ripple’s Senior Director of Global Operations Emi Yoshikawa said that “the region has always been forward thinking and exploring ways to improve the current financial system.”

As per a press release, the partnership will see the University of Tokyo award scholarships to students conducting research related to blockchain. Its economics department has also been initiating public seminars on blockchain and settlement. In addition, its economic professors are participating in research on the evolving financial system and regulatory frameworks for crypto assets and blockchain.

Meanwhile, Kyoto University will support graduate students carrying out blockchain studies, particularly in areas involving remittances by migrant works, digital identity management for refugees, and supply chain management.

Ripple, on the other hand, will provide financial and technical resources to support the studies.

In the announcement, the company said it believes that there is a growing demand for tech solutions as globalization increases. It hopes that its partnership with universities can help usher a new generation of engineers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and other professionals with knowledge about blockchain.

“As the industry matures, the academic community plays a pivotal role in paving the road for innovative companies and entrepreneurs leveraging blockchain technologies and digital assets,” Eric van Miltenburg, Ripple’s SVP of Global Operations, said.

Launched in 2018, UBRI has already formed 33 university partnerships, which include Princeton University, Carnegie Mellon, University of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the National University of Singapore. Ripple has pledged a total of $50 million in funding for the project.

“Expanding the UBRI network across the global to wide range of university partners will only continue to promote and accelerate the development of blockchain technology and use cases,” Miltenburg said.

There is a growing interest for companies to support students who are into blockchain. As previously reported, IBM has earlier partnered with Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and Russia’s Nornickel to build a Competence Center to conduct student training, perform research and development of the digital ecosystem, and implement IT practices in areas including blockchain.

Canada-based University of British Columbia also announced that it will offer a blockchain and distributed ledger technology training program for graduate students beginning this January.

Malta in partnership with the Malta Information Technology Agency and the University of Malta has awarded the first blockchain and distributed ledger technology scholarship grants to 19 students.