Integrating Cardano Blockchain at Nozi Boni University: Establishing a Foundation for Blockchain Innovation in Burkina Faso

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Laurentine Djatsa

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Incorporated)

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

6

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

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

Introduce Cardano blockchain education @ Nazi Boni University via workshops & courses, equip students with the skills & knowledge needed to drive innovation & contribute to blockchain development.

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

No

[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.”

No dependencies

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

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

Our project's outputs will be fully open source, allowing the community to access, modify and contribute to the resources we create, ensuring transparency and encouraging collaboration for future development.

[METADATA] Horizons

Education

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our solution addresses the lack of blockchain education in Burkina Faso at large and particularly at Nazi Boni University, by introducing a structured Cardano-focused curriculum. We perceive this problem as a critical barrier to innovation, as students lack the necessary exposure to emerging technologies like blockchain. Without this knowledge, they miss out on potential opportunities for research, entrepreneurship, and job creation in the fast-growing blockchain space.

We are approaching this issue by integrating Cardano blockchain education through workshops, seminars, and course modules, allowing students and faculty to understand the fundamentals, and advanced use cases of blockchain technology. This approach will create a sustainable educational foundation and encourage local innovation. Our solution also includes hands-on activities where participants will engage directly with the Cardano platform, gaining practical experience in blockchain development.

Our project will engage students, educators, and entrepreneurs at the university, with the goal of fostering a community of future blockchain innovators in Bobo Dioulasso and beyond.

What makes our solution unique is its focus on integrating Cardano into the academic environment of a university in Burkina Faso, a region with high potential for technological advancement but limited access to blockchain education. By targeting Nazi Boni University, we aim to create a model that can be replicated across other institutions in French speaking African countries, expanding Cardano's presence and influence on the continent. This will benefit not only the students and faculty but also the Cardano ecosystem as it gains skilled developers and innovators who can contribute to its growth.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

Our project will positively impact the wider Cardano community by creating a skilled workforce equipped with knowledge and expertise in blockchain technology, particularly focused on the Cardano platform. By educating students at Nazi Boni University, we will help cultivate a new generation of developers, entrepreneurs, and innovators who can contribute to the growth of the Cardano ecosystem in Burkina Faso and beyond.

Quantitatively, we will track:

Participation Rates: Number of students enrolled in the courses and workshops

Completion Rates: Percentage of participants who complete the program.

Post-programs Engagement: Number of students pursuing projects and internships or jobs in blockchain-related fields after completing the program.

Qualitatively, we will gather feedback through surveys and interviews with participants to assess their learning experiences, confidence in applying blockchain concepts, and perceived value of the education provided. We will also document success stories of students who engage in blockchain projects or startups as a result of their education.

We will share outputs through various channels:

1. Public Reports: We will create detailed reports summarizing the educational curriculum, participation statistics, and impact assessments, which will be made available on the Cardano community platforms and our projects website.
2. Workshops and Conferences: We will present our findings and success stories at relevant blockchain conferences and workshops, sharing our model for integrating blockchain education in universities.
3. Social Media and Community Forums: We will actively engage with the Cardano community through social media and forums, sharing insights, experiences, and opportunities that arise from our project.
4. Collaboration with Other Institutions: We will seek partnerships with other universities and educational institutions in French speaking African countries to replicate our model, further extending the reach and impact of Cardano education.

By fostering a knowledgeable community of blockchain professionals, our project will contribute to the long-term sustainability and growth of the Cardano ecosystem, making it more robust and innovative.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Our capability to deliver this project with high levels of trust and accountability stems from our established experience in educational program development and our commitment to transparency. Our team consists of professionals with backgrounds in blockchain technology, education, and project management, ensuring a well-rounded approach to implementing Cardano blockchain education at Nazi Boni University.

Moreover, we have established relationships with Nazi Boni University, which facilitates collaboration and resource sharing, enhancing the projects credibility.

By combining our expertise, structured planning, and commitment to transparency, we are confident in our ability to deliver this project effectively while maintaining high levels of trust and accountability.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Needs Assessment and Curriculum Development

Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment by engaging students, faculty, and industry stakeholders to identity specific learning needs and interest in blockchain education. Develop a tailored curriculum based on the findings.

Pilot Workshops Implementation

Conduct a series of pilot workshops based on the developed curriculum to test content delivery and gather participants feedback.

• Acceptance Criteria

At least three pilot workshops conducted with participation from students and faculty.

Collection and analysis of participant feedback through surveys.

Adjustments made to the curriculum based on pilot feedback.

Full Curriculum Rollout

Launch the full Cardano blockchain education program, including a structured schedule of courses and workshops for the academic year.

Acceptance Criteria

Successful enrollment of students in the full program

• Completion of all scheduled courses and workshops within the academic year
• positive participant evaluation with an average satisfaction rating of at least 80 per cent.

Community Engagement and Project Expansion

Organize community outreach events to promote the Cardano blockchain education program and encourage wider participation. Explore partnerships with other institutions for program replication.

Acceptance Criteria

• At least two community outreach events conducted with measurable attendance and engagement.
• Documentation of interest from a least two other educational institutions for potential collaboration.

Project Close-out Report and Video

• Compile a comprehensive project close-out report that includes an overview of achievements, challenges faced, participant feedback, and recommendations for future initiatives. Create a video summarizing the project’s impact and success stories.

• Production and sharing of a video that highlights project activities, outcomes, and testimonials from participants.

By achieving these milestones, we will ensure a structured and measurable approach to delivering blockchain education at Nazi Boni University, benefiting both students and the broader Cardano community.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Laurentine Djatsa: Project Coordinator

CEO of Inkuba Academy, Cardano Hub Lead In Burkina Faso. Fund 8 proposer(fully completed), host of the Cardano Summit 2022 in Ouagadougou, host of the Cardano constitutional workshop in Bobo Dioulasso and elected as a voting delegate, co-organiser of the CIP-1694 in Accra Ghana with the role of French Translator. Collaborated with Wada Global for the translation of the Cardano Interim Constitution, hosted over 15 Cardano workshops in French-speaking communities including Burkina Faso and Senegal.

LinkedIn: Inkuba Academy

Prof. Sanwe Medare Kienou: Lecturer and Vice president in charge of Professionalisation and university-companies relations at Nazi Boni University

Dr: Malik Kone: Project Technical Advisor

Assistant Vice President for Innovation, Discovery and Research at William VS Tubman University; Cardano Certified, Constitutional Delegate for Liberia

Aime Nico Kam: Project Administrative Assistant

Administrative and financial assistant at Inkuba Academy/Hub. Co-organiser of the Cardano summit in Ouagadougou 2022, Cardano Workshop presenter in Burkina Faso since 2022, Constitutional Traveling Alternate for Burkina Faso ,

LinkedIn: Aimé Sié Humpa Nico KAM

Richmond Darkwa: Project Manager, Active member of Inkuba Hub, Teacher and Cardano Constitutional Alternate for Burkina Faso. English Tutor and member of academic planning at Inkuba Academy.

LinkedIn: Richmond Darkwa

Elie Kiswend Sida: Project Manager: An expert in feasibility studies; five years of experience in Risk and Social Impact Assessment and Management; His passion for data analysis enables him to identify opportunities and risks inherent to each project, ensuring their viability and positive impact on communities. Ability to conduct in-depth studies and propose innovative solutions.

LInkedIn: Kiswend Sida Elie DABILOUGOU

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

• Project Manager(Overseeing the project and coordination): 5000 ADA
• Educators/Instructors Fees(For guest lecturers and workshop facilitators): 15000 ADA
• Administrative Support(Part-time administrative assistant for project support): 5000 ADA
• Materials and Resources(Curriculum Development research and material for curriculum design): 7500
• Educational Materials(Books, software, and learning resources): 15000 ADA
• Hardware Projector, laptop or tablets for workshops: 7500 ADA
• Community Outreach(Promotion, venue rental, and materials): 7500 ADA
• Marketing and Promotion(Marketing materials, flyers, social media ads, and promotional content): 3000 ADA
• Monitoring and Evaluation(Survey Tools software or services for participants feedback collection): 2000 ADA
• Documentation and Reporting(Final project and video production costs for video and documentation): 2500 ADA
• Miscellaneous(Contingency fund for unexpected expense or adjustments): 5000 ADA

Total: 75000 ADA

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

The proposed budget of 75000 ADA for this project Integrating Cardano Blockchain Education at Nazi Boni University represent excellent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem due to several key factors:

Educational Impact:

This project aims to establish a comprehensive blockchain education program at a recognized university, directly contributing to the growth of a skilled workforce in the Cardano ecosystem. By training future developers, entrepreneurs and blockchain enthusiasts, we are fostering a community that will enhance the adoption and application of Cardano technologies.

Cost Justification:

• The salaries allocated for project management, educators and administrative support are in line with the average wages for similar roles in Burkina Faso.
• Costs for curriculum development and educational materials are essential for creating high-quality content that will benefit students and faculty. Our estimates are based on current market rates for educational resources and comparable programs in the region.
• The budget for pilot workshops and community outreach is designed to maximize engagement and participation, ensuring that the knowledge gained is disseminated effectively throughout the community. The venues and materials are sourced locally to minimize costs while supporting the local economy.

The investment in education now will lead to a stronger Cardano ecosystem in the long run. As more individual become educated in blockchain technologies, we expect to see increased innovation and development of projects that utilize the Cardano platform, ultimately leading to a more robust community and economy.