Ateneo to offer blockchain elective courses in 2019

The Ateneo de Manila University along with med-tech company MediXServe announced on October 22 that it will offer blockchain-focused elective courses starting 2019. This follows the launch of AMBER Lab, the first university-based blockchain research laboratory and think tank in the country.

ADMU students will be able to enroll in these courses, which will be multi-disciplinary. Focuses will be developing blockchain, different types of ledgers, security, and more. AMBER Lab executive director Regina Estuar says, on the possibility of a full fledged course, ““I think to build a course, we need more time. I think the way to go is research-based for now. That’s why the focus is on the lab and then just give them enough skills so they will be able to get their hands dirty.”

“We’ll also have short courses and maybe workshops for teachers—share also the electives in other universities. We need manpower to build blockchain technologies for the country.”

Blockchain is defined as a digital, public ledger wherein transactions are made and recorded chronologically using peer-to-peer networks. Companies like MediXServe see this as the future of how humans trade.

“Blockchain technology is for the underserved. It is very transparent; it makes everything secure; lessens the transaction[processes] and red tape. It eases up a lot of things and the underserved will be served better with that,” said Jorge Azurin, CEO of MediXServe during the announcement of AMBER Lab back in August.

Source: GMA News Online, Ateneo.edu