In the inaugural Blocksburg Summit 2019, Virginia Tech launches two projects to promote blockchain technology among students and faculty. As per a report, the institute has received grants of $546,800 from the funding program. The blockchain summit was hosted by the Department of Computer Science and took place between November 10 to 12. It brought together experts and companies working in the field of blockchain technology.
With the aim of extending its resources to the local community, Virginia Tech’s summit will attract more blockchain companies to the Roanoke and New River valleys. The team looking into the initiative include members of the Center for Advancing Industry Partnerships and the Valleys Innovation Council. Further, the team will be headed by Kirk Cameron, a computer science professor at Virginia Tech.
The initiative aims to gap the bridge between industry and the tech graduates. For local students of the Roanoke and New River valleys, the new program will ease the process of getting internships and jobs in the blockchain and crypto space. Almost 20 companies signed up for the project so far. Donna Ratcliffe, director of career and professional development at Virginia Tech, said that this idea would “create pathways for Virginia Tech students to get great hands-on, real-world work experience.”
Blockchain is a relatively new technology and has a huge scope for development. The enthusiasm of students and collecting a fund of this much amount shows the potential of the technology. Moreover, the program will open a new window of opportunity for new graduate students.