IITM-K based Kerala Blockchain Academy to partner with Cyprus Varsity and start-up 

Kerala Blockchain Academy (KBA), a state government initiative under the Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management - Kerala (IIITM-K), has partnered with the University of Nicosia (UNIC) and Block co, a blockchain-based startup from Cyprus, to launch Kerala Blockchain Academy Innovation Club (KBAIC) - Decentralized India Chapter.

Decentralized is a global blockchain student network supported by UNIC, spanning multiple countries around the world, a press release said here on Sunday. The collaboration will help student members of KBAIC to get global exposure by seizing opportunities to work closely with the members of Decentralized.

The collaboration with UNIC, the prestigious global university in blockchain technology, will impart further momentum to KBA's initiatives to position Kerala as the blockchain hub of Asia, so as to leverage the huge potential of this disruptive technology. KBA also unveiled an ambitious project to set up Kerala Blockchain Academy Innovation Clubs (KBAICs) in academic institutions, jointly with Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM).

Launched with a vision of "Leveraging Blockchain Technology for Public Good," since its inception in 2017KBA has trained close to 1000 candidates in multiple streams of blockchain technology.

The institutional membership to KBAIC is free. It will offer workshops, seminars, faculty development programs, hackathons and internships to member institutions.

Through the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Cell (IEDC) of KSUM, KBAIC will promote entrepreneurship and help students explore the latest advancements in blockchain to build good career opportunities. The KBAIC- Decentralized launch ceremony will be held at C-DAC Auditorium in Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram on 6th September 2019 from 2 PM to 5 PM. Dr Chandrasekaran Pandurangan (Professor, IIT Madras) will deliver the keynote address. Dr Saji Gopinath (CEO, KSUM) and Dr Asharaf S (Professor-in-Charge, KBA) will be present. Antonis Polemitis (CEO, University of Nicosia), Prof. Marinos Themistocleous (Director, Institute For the Future (IFF) & Associate Dean School of Business, University of Nicosia), Alexis Nicolaou (CEO, Block. co), will deliver online sessions at this event.