Global Partners to Mark KBA as Blockchain Tech Hub, Says Expert

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Global partners will find Kerala Blockchain Academy (KBA) as a unique meeting place for evolving innovative ideas in the blockchain technology, according to a Canada-based expert.

“The KBA is the sole government-supported blockchain initiative in the world,” said Michael Gord, Founder and CEO, MLG Blockchain, Canada. He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the first batch of KBA Certified Blockchain associate programme, which forms part of the Accelerated Blockchain Competency Development (ABCD) initiative at the Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management-Kerala (IIITM-K) here on Thursday.

Gord also reminded that as a foundational step, KBA should be able to access to job opportunities in blockchain industry and rebuilding of all industries using this technology.

“Community ecosystem building is a huge part of blockchain. At the end of each KBA session we bring global partners to interact with the participants. A team will be formed then to create ideas and take them to reality,” he explained.

About 23 participants have joined the five-day course under the ABCD programme, which is being conducted every month. The KBA and MLG Blockchain are partnering for Blockchain education and training. Pointing out that the blockchain training involved three steps, namely learning, team building and taking hackathon projects to competitions, Gord added that KBA courses can create job opportunities and the participants get ample exposure to the nuances of blockchain.

Dr Asharaf. S, Professor-in Charge, KBA, said that since blockchain revolution is on the anvil globally, it’s a great opportunity for the state to equip itself with the apt ecosystem to tap the opportunities and attract global partners.

“The KBA course is Asia’s least priced blockchain training, which is supported by the government ecosystem and the IIITM-K,” he noted.

Adarsh. S, Convener, KBA, welcomed the gathering. Jeff Holek, Director, Technology, MLG Blockchain; and Navas Ebin Muhammed, Consultant, MENA Region Lead, MLG Canada were also present on the occasion.

Launched in July this year, ABCD programme is a brainchild of Kerala State Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC), aiming at positioning Kerala as the national hub for talent in Blockchain and related technologies. The ABCD programme is open for diploma holders, graduated youths and graduating students from engineering and science backgrounds. Through an online outreach, the programme has been extended to working professionals as well.

K-DISC has set an ambitious target of producing 25,000 Blockchain technologists in three years. The programme is developed and delivered by the KBA, which is an advanced R & D department within the IIITM-K.