Empowering the Future: Blockchain A-Z Workshops
In a groundbreaking effort to promote diversity within the blockchain industry, Singapore-based blockchain firm Zilliqa has launched a series of exciting workshops in collaboration with the Oxford Women in Computer Science Society (OxWoCS). Dubbed Blockchain A-Z, these interactive sessions are designed to equip students at Oxford University with a comprehensive understanding of blockchain technology, its foundational principles, and its applications.
What’s on the Agenda?
Running from October 31 to November 21, 2019, the workshops will not only cover technical aspects but also delve into philosophical underpinnings and industry insights. Each workshop is limited to 20 eager participants, ensuring an intimate setting conducive to meaningful discussions. Topics will range from the basics of blockchain to insights on approaching business challenges in the tech landscape.
Demo Day: The Opportunity to Shine
The workshops culminate in a Demo Day on November 21, where selected students will have the chance to showcase their projects. The highlight? Top performers get to apply for grants from Zilliqa’s impressive $5 million Ecosystem Grant Programme, aimed at fostering further mentorship and innovation in the blockchain sphere.
Championing Diversity: The Heart of Decentralization
Paula Fiddi, President of OxWoCS, passionately advocates for gender equality in tech, emphasizing that the presence of women in computer science is crucial for diverse innovation. On the other side, Zilliqa’s marketing lead, Saiba Kataruka, stresses the systemic diversity issues facing not just blockchain but the entire tech industry. He asserts, “Decentralization is a core principle of blockchain, and you can’t really have decentralization without diversity.”
The Need for Variety in Thought
Kataruka’s words echo an undeniable truth; to drive real progress in blockchain, a mosaic of perspectives is essential. The industry needs varied voices, whether based on race, gender, or professional background, to truly harness the power of decentralization.
Gender Disparity in Blockchain: A Startling Reality
Despite the promising advances, the numbers around gender equality in the blockchain space remain troubling. A 2018 survey by Quartz revealed that only 8.5% of 378 global crypto and blockchain firms had female founders or co-founders from 2012 to 2018. Even more disheartening, fewer than 5% of code contributions to the top 100 crypto projects on GitHub came from women. These statistics illuminate a glaring gap that initiatives like Blockchain A-Z aim to address.
Moving Forward Together
As Zilliqa and OxWoCS embark on this noble venture, the hope is that they can inspire a wave of diversity in technology—one workshop at a time. Who knows? The next revolutionary blockchain project might just be created by a group of enthusiastic Oxford students, ready to have their voices heard and their skills recognized.
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