Ripple’s University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI) recently celebrated its five-year anniversary, marking half a decade of significant contributions to the blockchain and crypto space.
According to a recent blog post by Ripple, launched with a $50M philanthropic commitment, UBRI has supported academic research, technical development, and innovation in blockchain and crypto at leading universities worldwide.
UBRI has established partnerships with over 50 universities across six continents, awarded 590 fellowships and scholarships, and supported the publication of over 1,000 research articles and presentations. Seven of the world’s top ten university blockchain programs are UBRI partners, including UPenn Wharton, Georgetown, University College London, and Kyoto University. These partnerships have led to groundbreaking insights and innovations in blockchain technology.
UBRI’s research covers a wide range of subjects, reflecting the pivotal role of blockchain technology across diverse industries. This research is shared through various platforms, including the award-winning All About Blockchain podcast and the annual UBRI Connect conference. The conference showcases academic blockchain research initiatives and features prestigious academic leaders and talents.
In addition to supporting research, UBRI has also played a significant role in fostering a diverse fintech workforce. The initiative has helped kickstart in-house programs at partner universities to accelerate blockchain education, such as the Berkeley Blockchain Xcelerator and the Wharton Blockchain and Digital Asset Project. UBRI also offers the Ripple Fellowship and XRPL Grants to support software development projects leveraging the XRPL.
UBRI’s international efforts include forming the DEC Institute, a global certification consortium that verifies blockchain knowledge and best practices. This includes the Chartered Blockchain Expert and Chartered Digital Asset Analyst exams.
Furthermore, UBRI has partnered with 28 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the U.S., resulting in 145 faculty and student fellowships, eight new blockchain and fintech courses, and 22 research projects. This partnership has enabled the development of new and expanded courses at institutions like Morgan State, Morehouse College, Stillman College, and Florida A&M University.
In conclusion, Ripple says that UBRI’s impact over the past five years has significantly widened the pathways for careers in blockchain, providing the industry with a roadmap for the future as the adoption of real-world applications of blockchain and digital assets increases.
Featured Image Credit: Photo / illustration by xresch via Pixabay
