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Blockchain technology provider Ripple’s University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI) has joined forces with its first-ever partner in the UAE and region, NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD). The new partnership will see the establishment of a Ripple Blockchain Collaboratory at NYUAD, which will advance the role of new technologies, helping prepare the region’s next generation of finance and economic leaders, entrepreneurs, corporations, and other professionals to develop and apply technologies including blockchain, cryptocurrency, and cybersecurity, to their business practices.
The Ripple Blockchain Collaboratory will serve two main purposes. Research and project-based courses will advance faculty and student engagement in blockchain, cryptocurrency, cybersecurity, fintech, and related subjects. It will also form part of the Corporate Sprint Accelerator Program developed by startAD, the startup accelerator powered by Tamkeen and anchored at NYUAD, steering fintech and blockchain startups from around the world to launch and grow into the UAE market through pilot projects with innovative corporations.
What is University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI)?
UBRI is a partnership between Ripple and top universities around the world to support academic research, technical development and innovation in blockchain, cryptocurrency and , digital payments. Ripple is providing both financial and technical resources to university partners and collaborates with faculty and students on research and technical projects.
Ramesh Jagannathan, Managing Director of startAD and also Vice Provost for Entrepreneurship at NYUAD, commented on the partnership: "Blockchain is the cornerstone of the digital transformation that will drive economic development in the decades to come. The global blockchain distributed ledger market size was valued at USD 2.89 billion in 2019, and is projected to reach USD 137.29 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 62.7 percent from 2020 to 2027. NYUAD and startAD intend to be at the forefront of research and implementation of new technologies into real-world applications, spurred by visionary government initiatives such as the Emirates Blockchain Strategy 2021.”
Raša Karapandža, Visiting Professor of Economics at NYUAD, said: "The support from UBRI will enable us to equip our faculty, students, and new businesses with the mindset required for creating the jobs of tomorrow by enriching our curriculum, supporting our students interested in blockchain, as well as advancing research initiatives on the topics of blockchain and cryptocurrencies.”
Lauren Weymouth, University Partnerships Director at Ripple commented: “Since launching UBRI, Ripple has seen tremendous growth from our global university partners to produce more than 280 blockchain-related research projects. We’re eager to partner with New York University Abu Dhabi to bring the initiative to the UAE and pilot innovation projects in a region ripe for fintech advancements.”
