Cardano Education for Ethiopian Universities

[GENERAL] Name and Surname of Main Applicant

[GENERAL] Email address of Main Applicant

Additional Applicants

1) Eyasu Birhanu eyasubirhanu0@gmail.com

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

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

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

[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.” .

The success of the project may depend on collaboration and support from various organizations, both technical and non-technical. Some potential dependencies could include:

• Ethiopian Universities: Collaboration and support from universities will be essential to host the meetups, seminars, and workshops on their campuses, as well as to engage students and faculty members.
• Expertise: Developers have in-depth knowledge of blockchain and Cardano.
• University lectures: University lectures provide reliable, high-quality content.

[GENERAL] Will your project outputs be fully Open Source?

[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

[METADATA] SDG rating

• Quality Education: The project aims to provide quality education on blockchain technology and Cardano, empowering participants with valuable skills and knowledge.
• Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: By promoting blockchain education and adoption, the project contributes to fostering innovation and building sustainable infrastructure in the blockchain industry.
• Partnerships for the Goals: The project relies on partnerships and collaborations with universities, Cardano Blockchain developers, key opinion leaders, SPOs, and enterprise partners to achieve its objectives, emphasizing the importance of partnerships for sustainable development.

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

The proposed solution is a comprehensive education initiative focused on blockchain technology and the Cardano platform for Ethiopian universities. The solution includes a series of activities designed to educate, empower, and foster adoption among students, faculty, and the wider community.

Meetups and Seminars: Regular meetups and seminars will be organized on campus, covering blockchain fundamentals and Cardano-specific topics. These sessions will start from a fundamental level, explaining concepts such as blockchain technology, creating and using wallets (Nami, Eternal, Yoroi, Daedalus), staking with Cardano, and becoming a Stake Pool Operator (SPO). Advanced courses will be offered on writing smart contracts using Marlowe, Plutus, Lucid and Mesh, creating tokens, developing NFTs, building DAOS, and integrating Cardano with existing websites and enterprise infrastructure.

Guest Lectures and Workshops: Key opinion leaders, industry professionals, and experts from the Cardano ecosystem will be invited to deliver guest lectures and workshops. These sessions will provide insights into Cardano's potential applications, real-world use cases, and foster discussions on Cardano's adoption within the Ethiopian Community ecosystem.

Project Development Support: The initiative will offer mentorship and guidance to students and researchers interested in developing blockchain-based projects on the Cardano platform. Participants will receive access to development resources, including the Node api, educational materials, and support from the developer community.

Networking Events: Networking events will be organized to facilitate connections between participants and professionals, entrepreneurs, and organizations involved in the blockchain and Cardano space. These events will encourage collaboration, idea sharing, and potential internship or employment opportunities.

The proposed solution aims to empower participants with blockchain knowledge and skills, foster innovation, build a vibrant community, and promote the adoption of Cardano within the Ethiopian university ecosystem. By offering a range of educational activities and networking opportunities, the solution aims to bridge the knowledge gap, inspire creativity, and create a pathway for individuals to explore career opportunities and entrepreneurial ventures in the blockchain industry.

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

The proposed solution directly addresses the challenge of the lack of blockchain education and awareness in Ethiopian universities by providing a comprehensive education initiative focused on blockchain technology and the Cardano platform. By bridging the knowledge gap and promoting Cardano adoption, the solution offers several benefits to the Cardano ecosystem:

• Education and Awareness: The solution will raise awareness about Cardano and blockchain technology among students, faculty, and the wider community in Ethiopian universities. By providing educational resources and organizing informative sessions, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the Cardano platform, its features, and its potential applications.
• Talent Development: The initiative will empower participants with valuable skills and knowledge in blockchain technology and Cardano. This will contribute to the development of a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation, building blockchain-based solutions, and contributing to the growth of the Cardano ecosystem.
• Innovation and Project Development: By providing mentorship, resources, and support, the solution encourages participants to explore and develop blockchain-based projects on the Cardano platform. This fosters innovation and creativity, potentially leading to the creation of new applications, smart contracts, tokens, NFTs, and other solutions within the Cardano ecosystem.
• Community Engagement: The solution promotes the formation of a vibrant community of blockchain enthusiasts, students, faculty, and industry professionals. Through meetups, seminars, workshops, and networking events, participants will have opportunities to connect, collaborate, and share ideas, fostering a sense of community and strengthening the Cardano ecosystem.
• Adoption and Ecosystem Growth: By inviting key opinion leaders and industry experts to discuss Cardano's adoption, the solution aims to create momentum and encourage the integration of Cardano within the Ethiopian university ecosystem. This can lead to increased adoption of Cardano, partnerships with organizations, and the exploration of practical implementations within existing websites and enterprise infrastructure.

Overall, the proposed solution not only addresses the challenge of blockchain education and awareness in Ethiopian universities but also brings tangible benefits to the Cardano ecosystem by expanding its reach, nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and building a strong and engaged community.

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

Here are some potential metrics to assess the project's effectiveness:

1) Student Onboarding:

• Measure the total count of students successfully onboarded into the program.

2) Project Submissions on Ideascale:

• Monitor the quantity of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) projects submitted by students through Ideascale.

3) Workshop Attendance:

• Track the number of participants attending meetups, seminars, workshops, and networking events. Increasing attendance over time indicates growing interest and engagement.

4) Student Interest in Cardano and Project Catalyst:

• Assess the level of student engagement and enthusiasm regarding Cardano and Project Catalyst, gauging their expressed interest and involvement.

5) Feedback and Surveys:

• Conduct surveys and collect feedback from participants to evaluate their satisfaction levels, understanding of the topics covered, and the perceived value of the educational initiatives. Positive feedback indicates the effectiveness of the project in meeting participants' expectations.

6) Collaboration and Partnerships:

• Monitor the number of collaborations established with external organizations, universities, industry professionals, and key opinion leaders. Increased partnerships indicate the project's ability to create networks and foster collaboration within the Cardano ecosystem.

7) Long-term Impact:

• Monitor the long-term impact of the project by tracking the number of participants who pursue careers or entrepreneurial ventures in the blockchain industry or contribute to the Cardano ecosystem. This will demonstrate the project's influence in shaping the future blockchain landscape.

By regularly monitoring and analyzing these metrics, it will be possible to evaluate the success and effectiveness of the project, make necessary adjustments, and continuously improve the educational initiatives to maximize their impact.

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

To ensure the outputs and results of the project reach a wider audience and contribute to the broader Cardano community, here are the proposed plans for sharing the outcomes:

• Project Documentation and Reports: Thorough documentation of the project's activities, including meetups, seminars, workshops, and networking events, will be prepared. Comprehensive reports summarizing the key findings, insights, and outcomes will be created. These reports can be shared publicly, either on a dedicated project website or through relevant online platforms, to provide transparency and allow others to learn from the project's experiences.

• Publication and Dissemination: The project's achievements, success stories, and notable outcomes can be shared through academic publications, conference presentations, and research papers. This helps disseminate knowledge and insights gained from the project to academic and research communities, ensuring broader visibility and potential for collaboration.

Social Media and Online Platforms: Utilize our social media channels to share regular updates, highlights, and key learnings from the project. Engage with the Cardano community and blockchain enthusiasts by actively participating in discussions and responding to inquiries, thus promoting knowledge sharing and awareness of the project's outcomes.

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

Our team consists of highly skilled professionals, including developers of Cardano smart contracts(haskell and plutus developers), seasoned software engineers, and university students and instructors. Our combined knowledge enables us to complete the project with the utmost integrity and responsibility. 

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

The main goals of the project are:

• Promote blockchain education: The project aims to provide comprehensive education on blockchain technology and the Cardano platform to students, faculty, and the wider community in Ethiopian universities.

• Foster Cardano adoption: The project seeks to encourage the adoption of Cardano within the Ethiopian university ecosystem by raising awareness, providing hands-on training, and facilitating discussions on its potential applications.

• Empower participants: The project aims to empower participants with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to explore career opportunities, pursue entrepreneurial ventures, and contribute to the blockchain industry.

To validate the feasibility of our approach, we will:

• Partnerships and Collaborations: Collaborate with universities, the Cardano Ambassadors, industry professionals, and key opinion leaders to assess their interest and willingness to support the project.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Implement a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the progress, outcomes, and impact of the project.

[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 Breakdown and Timeline:

Milestone 1: Project Kickoff and Preparation

• Conduct research on blockchain education landscape in Ethiopian universities
• Identify key Universities Directors, Teachers, and Students and establish initial partnerships.
• Timeline: 2 weeks

Milestone 2: Education Curriculum Development

• Design curriculum for blockchain fundamentals and Cardano-specific topics
• Prepare and compile educational resources, materials, and case studies
• Create content for meetups, seminars, and advanced courses
• Review and iterate curriculum based on internal feedback and input from expertise 
• Timeline: 4 weeks

Milestone 3: Meetups, Seminars, and Basic Courses

• Organize and conduct meetups and seminars on blockchain fundamentals
• Deliver basic courses on Haskell, wallet creation, Cardano staking, and becoming an SPO
• Provide hands-on training for using Nami, Eternal, Yoroi and Daedalus wallets
• Engage participants in interactive sessions and Q&A discussions
• Timeline: 10 week

Milestone 4: Advanced Courses and Workshops

• Develop content and materials for advanced courses (Haskell, Plutus, Lucid, Mesh, smart contracts, token creation, NFTs, DAOS, integration with websites/infrastructure)
• Organize and conduct advanced courses and workshops
• Provide participants with practical exercises and coding tutorials
• Engage industry experts as guest speakers to deliver specialized sessions
• Timeline: 12 week

Milestone 5: Evaluation, Reporting, Project Conclusion and Knowledge Sharing

• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of educational initiatives
• Gather participant feedback and assess knowledge/skill development
• Prepare progress reports and documentation of project activities
• Analyze project outcomes and identify areas for improvement
• Prepare a comprehensive project report summarizing activities, outcomes, and lessons learned
• Share project findings through academic publications, conferences, and online platforms
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to explore potential sustainability and future initiatives
• Timeline: 4 weeks

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

Milestone 1: Project Kickoff and Preparation

Outputs:

• Clear project objectives and roadmap, Established project team and defined roles,Informed understanding of the existing blockchain education landscape,Initial network of partnerships to support project implementation

Milestone 2: Education Curriculum Development

Outputs:

• Well-structured curriculum to deliver comprehensive blockchain and Cardano education
• Engaging and informative content for meetups, seminars, and advanced courses

Milestone 3: Meetups, Seminars, and Basic Courses

Outputs:

• Regularly conducted meetups and seminars on blockchain basics
• Well-prepared training materials and resources for participants

Milestone 4: Advanced Courses and Workshops

Outputs:

• Well-structured advanced courses and workshops
• In-depth understanding and hands-on experience in advanced Cardano topics
• Practical exercises and coding examples for participants

Milestone 5: Evaluation , Reporting, Project Conclusion and Knowledge Sharing

Outputs:

• Evaluation reports providing insights on the impact of educational initiatives
• Detailed project report capturing project journey, outcomes, and key leanings

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

Milestone 1: Project Kickoff and Preparation (Rate: 1 ADA ~ 0.32 USD)

• Project Coordinators: 2000 in Ada
• Cost : 2000 Ada

Milestone 2: Education Curriculum Development

• 2 Plutus smart contract developers and Educational Content creates : 4000 Ada and
• Materials and Resources: 1000 Ada
• Total Cost: 5000 Ada

Milestone 3: Meetups, Seminars, and Basic Courses

• Organize and conduct meetups and seminars:
• Promotion: 1480 Ada
• 2 Project Coordinators: 3500 Ada
• 2 Plutus smart contract developer and Educational Content creates: 4500 Ada
• Equipment and Supplies: such as projectors,audio systems, flip charts, stationery, and other materials needed for presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on activities: 2000 Ada
• Training venue rentals: Sponsorship from universities
• Audiovisual and Technology Support: Sponsorship
• Refreshments and Catering: catering services or snacks and beverages : 2000 Ada
• Total: 13480 in Ada

Milestone 4: Advanced Courses and Workshops

• Organize and conduct meetups and seminars:
• 2 Project Coordinators: 3500 Ada
• 2 Plutus smart contract developer and Educational Content creates: 4500 Ada
• Equipment and Supplies: such as projectors,audio systems, flip charts, stationery, and other materials needed for presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on activities: 2000 Ada
• Travel and accommodation for trainers and speakers: 2000 in Ada
• Training venue rentals: Sponsorship from universities
• Audiovisual and Technology Support: Sponsorship
• Refreshments and Catering: catering services or snacks and beverages : 2000 Ada
• Total: 14000 in Ada

Milestone 5: Evaluation, Reporting, Project Conclusion and Knowledge Sharing

• surveys, questionnaires, assessment or interview specific to the educational initiatives being evaluated: 1000 Ada
• Reporting and Documentation: by Project Coordinators : 2000 Ada
• Project Evaluation, Final Reporting,online event: by Project Coordinators: 2000 Ada
• Total Cost: 5000 Ada

We'll try to cover for some extra expenses from sponsorships.

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

The cost of the project represents value for money for the Cardano ecosystem in several ways:

• Education and Skill Development: The project's cost invests in providing comprehensive education on blockchain technology and the Cardano platform. By equipping individuals with knowledge and skills related to Cardano, the project contributes to the growth of a skilled workforce.

• Adoption and Awareness: The cost supports activities aimed at promoting Cardano's adoption and raising awareness within the target audience. By organizing meetups, seminars, and workshops, the project facilitates the dissemination of knowledge and understanding of Cardano's capabilities.

• Network Expansion: The project's cost enables networking events and collaborations with industry professionals, key opinion leaders, and other stakeholders.

• Innovation and Projects: The cost supports initiatives that encourage participants to explore and develop projects on the Cardano platform. By fostering innovation, the project drives the creation of practical applications, smart contracts, and other solutions within the ecosystem.

Ultimately, the cost of the project represents value for money by investing in education, adoption, network expansion, innovation, and long-term growth within the Cardano ecosystem. It enables the ecosystem to develop a skilled workforce, foster widespread adoption, create a vibrant network, drive innovation, and build a strong foundation for future advancements.

[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.