May 27th to June 10th, 2019
Blockchain@UBC is pleased to offer our third annual Blockchain@UBC Summer Institute, an intensive program designed to provide undergraduates and graduates from any discipline with advanced and specialized training in blockchain and distributed ledger technologies (DLTs). Students from other universities and non-students may also apply.
In collaboration with our industry and academic partners, we offer a wide range of topics, including: basic blockchain architecture and operations, privacy, security and trust and Bitcoin/blockchains/DLTs, emerging international standards and use cases, technical knowledge on the Bitcoin, Ethereum, Hyperledger Fabric, and Hyperledger Indy platforms, and understanding of blockchain and DLTs in social, economic, legal and political contexts.
Participants will benefit from exposure to industry professionals, insights into a wide range of blockchain-related topics, and hands-on experience in designing and developing blockchain-based solutions. The objectives of the Summer Institute for our participants are to:
- Gain a deep understanding of blockchain and distributed ledger technologies (DLT) from academic and industry experts.
- Critically reflect the impact of blockchain on society and apply DLT to real world problems.
- Engage with leading industry players and build a professional network in the blockchain community.
Once registered, students will be sent a “preparation pack” for each of the sessions for which they have registered. These will list readings and/or software to be referenced and used in each session.
The two weeks of training sessions culminate in a two-day “Blockathon” on June 8-9, followed by the Blockchain@UBC Annual Conference on June 10. The Blockathon is sponsored by the partners of Blockchain@UBC, in which summer program participants, community members, and mentors will work as members of teams to design and prototype blockchain solutions for social good and community well-being.
The Annual Conference at UBC Robson Square will feature presentations by expert academics on various topics in blockchain and DLT, and culminate with our second annual "TALENT + INNOVATION" showcase.
Dates
Summer Institute Training Sessions (May 27th - June 7th)
Blockathon (June 8th - 9th)
Annual Conference (June 10th)
Schedule & Curriculum Pricing Blockathon Conference
You can view details about our previous Summer Institutes here.
Testimonals
From 2019's Participants:
"[Blockchain@UBC] brought in some of the best speakers, had a good range of difficulty and variety in topics, and was able to make a complex topic intuitive to understand. I started with limited knowledge about blockchain and finished with new-founded inspiration and curiosity. From the classroom sessions, to the hackathon, to the conference, I had an amazing experience and would highly recommend this course to anyone in the future." - Clara Chu (Consulting Analyst at Accenture)
From Previous Years:
"Over the course of the program, we learned about everything from the difference between private/public blockchains, how to code smart contracts with Ethereum and the mechanics of Hyperledger. We even learned how to create our own cryptocurrency... I found myself suddenly viewed as an ‘expert’ on blockchain — literally everyone wanted to know more about it, the hype was real. One Monday morning I was greeted by an email asking me to organize a presentation at SAP during their Cyber Security Month and gladly agreed. Soon enough, guys in the marketing team were messaging over Skype asking how they should best explain the technology to clients." - Ali Serag (Co-Founder of Fostrum).
Read more from his blog at Blockchain for the Homeless to Techstars Startup
"Before joining the Blockchain@UBC Summer Institute in 2017, I had only low-level technical skills and a cursory understanding of how blockchains worked. Through the program, I was welcomed wholeheartedly into the BC blockchain community, gained a substantial understanding of blockchain technology, and connected with other students from a diverse range of backgrounds that further deepened my understanding of the field.
Through the contacts I made at the Blockchain@UBC Summer Institute, I have had the opportunity to contribute to two research projects on smart contracts and digital asset regulation, engage with legal experts across the world on the regulation of cryptocurrencies. With the knowledge I have gained from these experiences, I have also co-authored a chapter of a legal textbook on aspects of blockchain law." - Stephen Pederson (Peter A. Allard School of Law Student)