Alabama State University Blockchain Think Tank

Purpose of ASU Blockchain Think Tank

The following is the purpose of our Blockchain Think Tank Project which includes the advisory committee, module training, think tank sessions, and creation of blockchain and cryptocurrency models:

• Assess our students’ current awareness of blockchain and FinTech, including and beyond cryptocurrencies.

• Build relationships across disciplines to show how interdisciplinary collaboration and synergy pioneer a number of innovative technologies.

• Partner with domestic and global businesses, start-ups, and investors.

• Promote leadership in blockchain and FinTech innovation.

• Extend student knowledge and experience with blockchain and FinTech beyond knowledge and use of cryptocurrencies to model creation.

• Help students use blockchain and FinTech to solve problems and address economic inequities and community issues.

• Encourage discussions about blockchain and FinTech among students and within their spheres of influence.

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The 2021 Innovation Grant will allow us to form a think tank for students in collaboration with experts in blockchain and financial technology. The think tank project will include several weeks of guest speakers, and by the end of the process, students would have created blockchain and cryptocurrency (coin, token, or NFT) models for ASU. The reason we believe this think tank is innovative is because it moves students beyond simply being aware or recipients, owners, investors, or proponents of cryptocurrency to understanding the model creation process.  This level of engagement provides insight into the innovators, adopters, and drivers of FinTech innovation, as well as the overall future of the financial services industry and how it relates to other aspects of life.

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Before each think tank session, we will have modules with faculty-generated instructional videos, glossaries, and short assessments for students to gain knowledge that they can apply during the sessions. This will be stored in a learning management system (e.g., Blackboard) for all students to access (to increase awareness); however, although the think tank will be live streamed, participation is only for students selected through our application process. The think tank is open to undergraduate and graduate students of all classifications and varying degree majors and levels of experience with blockchain and financial technology. We will also have an advisory committee made up of students and those in the following areas: technology, art, student retention, computer sciences, career services, marketing, communication, etc. Each module and think tank session will build upon the previous one so that by the end of the think tank project, students would have created blockchain and cryptocurrency (coin, token, or non-fungible token/NFT) models for ASU. This would allow students with or without a technical background to be engaged in every aspect of the learning process and allow for more graphical examples opposed to simply showing lines of code. The two models produced could then serve as the basis for a functioning ASU currency whose construction would begin with this project. Because each participant in the Think Tank will be selected from a list of applicants, they will receive medals and t-shirts and have articles written about their experience. Celebrating our think tank participants will raise student curiosity to learn more about the nature of the project.

 

Impact on Alabama State University

There are several practical, short-term and long-term benefits for Alabama State University’s internal and external relationships. We foresee the think tank project having the following impact:

• Fostering possible partnerships for internships and entrepreneurial endeavors by showing the local and greater community how our students are an asset to various companies and organizations

• Supporting business and communication students and faculty, particularly in the marketing, public relations, journalism, and radio/TV areas, in writing articles, specials, and educational awareness materials on the project for distribution to newspapers, magazines, radio and TV broadcasting stations, university stakeholders, etc.

  • These publications and broadcastings can promote Alabama State University as a whole in the community and for prospective students.

• Building financial, digital, and media literacy and enhancing students’ communication skills for academic and post-graduation success.

• Providing recruitment and enrollment support by showing potential students and faculty our unique role in evolving economic advancements and innovation.

• Raising student and faculty awareness of and engagement with our Small Business Development Center

• Exposing students to a network of HBCUs and other students engaged in blockchain and FinTech education.

• Becoming the first college or university in the Montgomery region known for its leadership in blockchain and FinTech student awareness and engagement

  • The two models produced could serve as the basis for a functioning ASU currency whose construction would begin with this project. 

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The following are the educational outcomes and benefits of the learning modules that will be assessed through the module quizzes and observed during think tank sessions and the creation of blockchain and cryptocurrency modules.

• Explain what FinTech is and how it is transforming the world of finance.

• Recognize and characterize the latest FinTech trends (Blockchain, AI, and Big Data).

• Identify and describe the vital elements that drive technological
  innovation.

• Demonstrate an understanding of topics and emerging business models in various areas of money and payments, alternative and digital finance, banking, insurance and wealth management, data and security, laws, and Fintech Regulation and Regulation Technology (RegTech).

• Create blockchain and cryptocurrency models with utility and problem-solving capabilities.

• Analyze the socio-economic impact of blockchain and FinTech.

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