Empowering Blockchain Innovation at the University of British Columbia with Atala PRISM

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Victoria Lemieux

[GENERAL] Email address of main applicant

v.lemieux@ubc.ca

Additional applicants

Not applicable.

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

12

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language.

No

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

Yes

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.” .

Our project will depend on the multidisciplinary faculty and postdoctoral researchers of Blockchain@UBC, which exists as a research and education cluster within The University of British Columbia. This should in no way impede our ability to deliver on this project; rather, it is a strength, as we will have access to students, course delivery, and marketing channels. This proposal is being submitted by Victoria Lemieux, founder and leader of Blockchain@UBC.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] If NO, please describe which outputs are not going to be open source. If YES, please write “Project will be fully open source.”

Project will be fully open source.

[METADATA] Category of proposal

Education

[METADATA] SDG rating

This project connects most closely to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 16.9—to “provide legal identity for all"; however, the project also cuts across all SDGs, as developers and UX/UI designers with knowledge of SSI can contribute to all types of projects, since identity is the key to the mass adoption of blockchain technology while adding value to layer-1. 

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

Our solution addresses the urgent need for more skilled developers and designers in the growing Atala PRISM ecosystem. We recognize the potential of Atala PRISM and Cardano for enabling decentralization and providing identity solutions; however, their potential can only be fully realized with a sufficiently large, educated talent pool.

We propose a tailored educational course leveraging Blockchain@UBC's reputation and expertise in blockchain education. Our approach uses the Atala PRISM Pioneer Program's foundational framework to blend theoretical and practical training.

Our project will engage students and professionals interested in blockchain technology, particularly those keen to work with Atala PRISM and Cardano. This targeted group will ensure we cultivate a talent pool directly benefiting Cardano's ecosystem.

The course participants will demonstrate their competence through project participation and standardized testing. The immediate impact will be the increased number of Atala PRISM proficient individuals, directly contributing to Cardano's growth.

What sets our solution apart is the integration of hands-on project experience, coupled with rigorous academic training, within the rapidly expanding field of blockchain technology.

The primary beneficiaries are the course participants who gain valuable skills, the Cardano ecosystem that gains proficient developers, and businesses that will benefit from the growth of Atala PRISM and Cardano.

[IMPACT] How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?

Our project addresses the challenge of fostering mass adoption of blockchain technology by honing developer and UX/UI designers' skills. By doing so, we aim to improve the technology's compatibility and user-friendliness, two critical elements for increased uptake.

Specifically, our project will:

1. Train UX/UI designers to enhance the user experience, promoting accessibility and widespread adoption.
2. Develop blockchain developers proficient in Atala PRISM and Cardano, contributing to technology compatibility and implementation of user-centric designs.

Beyond technical competency, the challenge underscores the importance of effectively communicating and relaying information to stakeholders and businesses. To meet this need, we will:

1. Incorporate into our courses proven methodologies for gathering requirements and translating business needs into user-friendly systems.
2. Encourage the development of business-specific considerations like creating incentives, ensuring interoperability, unlocking positive impact, and facilitating coordination in a decentralized ecosystem.

Blockchain@UBC is a multidisciplinary cluster that attracts students from diverse backgrounds. Consequently, our courses serve as a comprehensive training platform catering to different aspects of ecosystem growth and adoption. These include decentralized governance, blockchain for social good, ethics, technical innovation, and interoperability.

Therefore, our solution benefits the Cardano ecosystem by growing a skilled workforce capable of meeting its technical and communication needs, ultimately fostering mass adoption and further innovation.

[IMPACT] How do you intend to measure the success of your project?

We plan to gauge the success of our project through a mix of short-term and long-term quantitative and qualitative metrics.

Short-term Metrics:

1. Delivery of at least two training courses: We will track this by maintaining a record of courses delivered, with detailed course content and faculty involved.
2. Participation of at least 80 students across all course offerings: We will measure this by tracking enrolment and attendance records.
3. Successful completion rate of at least 95% of students: This will be measured by tracking students who complete all course requirements, including final assessments.

Long-term Metrics:

1. Evidence of trainees' contribution to Cardano and SSI/Atala PRISM projects in the year following training: We will track this by conducting follow-up surveys with the trainees and monitoring their professional profiles and contributions to open-source projects on platforms such as GitHub.

Qualitative Metrics:

1. Students' perceived knowledge gain: Post-course surveys will be conducted to assess students' perception of their learning and the applicability of the course content.
2. Satisfaction and recommendation rate: Students will be surveyed about their overall satisfaction and the likelihood of recommending the course to others. This will help measure the course's impact on students and its reputation within the developer community.

[IMPACT] Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?

We intend to adopt a multichannel approach to disseminate the results and outputs of our project to ensure maximum reach and impact. This includes:

1. Cardano and Atala PRISM Communication Channels: We will leverage the reach of Cardano's and Atala PRISM's existing communication networks, such as official blogs, newsletters, and social media platforms. This will include updates, project milestones, key learnings, and case studies.
2. Academic Outlets: We will prepare academic papers detailing the methodologies used, findings, and implications of our project, aiming to publish in relevant academic journals. This will contribute to the existing body of knowledge and could inspire similar initiatives.
3. Blockchain@UBC Communication Channels: We will update our community through our Blockchain@UBC newsletter, social media platforms, and website.
4. Conferences: We plan to present our work at relevant conferences, which will help us gain exposure, feedback, and potential collaborations.
5. Open-Source Repositories: All course materials and associated resources developed will be made freely available through open-source repositories like GitHub. This will ensure our work is accessible to a global audience and can be used, adapted, and built upon by other educators and researchers.
6. Multimedia Content: We will produce project-specific content, such as webinars, video tutorials, or podcasts, to explain key aspects of our work more engagingly, potentially reaching a broader, non-academic audience.

We aim to reach a broad and varied audience through these diverse channels, from blockchain enthusiasts to academic researchers, industry professionals, and the general public.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability?

We are a top-tier higher education institution known for our commitment to excellence and integrity in our academic pursuits. Our capability to deliver this project with high levels of trust and accountability is backed by the following factors:

1. Extensive Experience: We have a robust track record in delivering a diverse array of courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Since 2017, our blockchain-focused programs, post-appointment professional training, and flexibly structured Blockchain@UBC Summer Institute have been recognized for their quality and impact.
2. Recognition: Our reputation in blockchain education has been recognized by Coindesk as no. 1 in Canada, which further attests to our capability and commitment to delivering high-quality education in this field.
3. Institutional Systems: We adhere to stringent internal systems and protocols to ensure accountability, including peer review processes, project monitoring and evaluation, and transparent reporting practices.
4. Commitment to Transparency: All our educational offerings are available publicly, allowing the wider community to scrutinize and provide feedback on our courses.
5. Engaged and Expert Faculty: Our team comprises professionals and academics with deep knowledge of blockchain technology and related areas, contributing to our ability to deliver the project effectively.

For more information about our educational offerings, please visit our website. Trust and accountability are embedded in our culture, and we are dedicated to delivering this project to the highest standard to contribute to the Cardano and Atala PRISM ecosystems.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What are the main goals for the project and how will you validate if your approach is feasible?

The primary goal of our project is to educate developers and designers on the Atala PRISM platform and service stack, thereby equipping them with the essential knowledge of SSI systems. This education will meet the growing demand for SSI solutions as Cardano expands.

A secondary objective is to foster the use of Atala PRISM as the preferred SSI solution for Cardano projects. We anticipate that the individuals we train will not only support existing projects but also spur innovation by creating novel projects of their own using the knowledge acquired from our program.

To validate the feasibility of our approach, we will:

1. Pilot Test: We will begin with a pilot version of the course to a small group, incorporate feedback and refine the curriculum before launching full-scale courses.
2. Monitor Progress: Keep track of the number of students completing our course and transitioning to roles where they apply their SSI knowledge in real-world projects.
3. Assess Impact: Conduct follow-up surveys with our course alums to assess how the training has influenced their career trajectories and contributions to the Cardano ecosystem.
4. Engage with Stakeholders: Maintain active dialogues with industry partners, employers, and the Cardano community for feedback and validation of our training effectiveness.

Through these mechanisms, we can iteratively improve our course offerings and ensure that our approach remains relevant and valuable to our students and the broader Cardano ecosystem.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed breakdown of your project’s milestones and each of the main tasks or activities to reach the milestone plus the expected timeline for the delivery.

Milestone 1: Train the trainers - train faculty in the Atala PRISM platform and service stack and develop course syllabi, including curriculum, projects and evaluation (Start: Aug/Sept 2023 & End: Nov/Dec 2023)

Milestone 2: Deliver course 1 targeting upper level undergrads and graduate students (Start: Jan 2023 & End: April 2023). Course to be delivered to approx. 40 students

Milestone 3: Deliver course 2 targeting upper level undergrads, graduate students, non-UBC students and professionals (Start: Apr/May 2023 & End: Jul/ 2023). Course to be delivered to approx. 40 students.

Milestone 4: Communicate output and results & set up ongoing monitoring (Aug. 2023).

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please describe the deliverables, outputs and intended outcomes of each milestone.

Milestone 1: Faculty who can deliver courses trained.

Milestone 2: Delivery of course 1 to 40 students; successful completion for 95% of students.

Milestone 3: Deliver of course 2 to 40 students; successful completion for 95% of students.

Milestone 4: Preparation of a series of blogs, social media posts and academic papers.

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

1. Salaries: Two sessional lecturers for two courses. Each paid at Ada 30,000, for a total of Ada 60,000. This is a standard rate (CAD$ equivalency for sessional lecturers at The University of British Columbia).
2. Administrative Support: Costs associated with Blockchain@UBC administrative support, including student registration, course preparation, student record maintenance, and program communication for marketing and outcomes, are estimated at Ada 15,000.

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The proposed budget of Ada 30,000 per course aligns with the standard rate for sessional lectures at the University of British Columbia (equivalent to CAD 15,000 per course). Moreover, our goal is to train approximately 80 students, which translates to a cost of approximately Ada 940 per student. This cost represents substantial value when considering the long-term impact on Cardano and Atala PRISM.

These trained developers and designers will actively contribute to projects in the immediate future and stimulate further growth and innovation within the Cardano ecosystem. The knowledge they gain will not be siloed but shared within their respective networks, potentially leading to more developers and designers choosing to work with Cardano and Atala PRISM.

Additionally, the faculty we train will be capable of contributing to ongoing development and design challenges. With the availability of funding, they can continue to deliver future courses, thus creating a continuous cycle of knowledge sharing and skill building that can sustain the long-term growth and scalability of Cardano.

Therefore, this investment provides immediate results in terms of a skilled workforce and establishes a foundation for continued educational efforts that will serve Cardano and Atala PRISM in the years to come.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agreed to Fund10 rules and also that data in the Submission Form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.

I Accept