[BUTC] Workshop to learn about Cardano Blockchain for university students in Vietnam

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Le Dinh Minh

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

Entity (Not Incorporated)

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

3

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

Yes

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

This workshop introduces students to blockchain technology using Cardano, offering hands-on experience with smart contracts, decentralized apps, and real-world use cases to enhance practical learning.

[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

The workshop materials, including code samples and learning resources, will be shared as open source on GitHub. Students and participants are encouraged to contribute and improve the resources collaboratively.

[METADATA] Horizons

Events

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

The proposed solution is to host a comprehensive workshop series focused on educating university students about blockchain technology through the Cardano platform. The workshop will consist of five interactive sessions, each designed to build on the knowledge learned in the previous session, ensuring a cohesive learning experience. The event will be attended by students from universities in Vietnam, and will be held at the University of Transport and Communications.

Detailed structure for the Workshop

Session 1: Introduction to Blockchain and Cardano

• Duration: 2 hours
• Content:
• Introduction to blockchain: Concepts, historical development, and key components (node, block, consensus).
• Introduction to Cardano: Project history and vision, goals for building a sustainable blockchain.
• Key features of Cardano: Layered architecture, Ouroboros consensus mechanism.
• Activities:
• Group discussion on real-world applications of blockchain.
• Supporting Materials: Presentation slides, overview documents on blockchain and Cardano.

Session 2: Understanding Cardano's Architecture

• Duration: 2 hours
• Content:
• Analysis of Cardano's structure: Cardano Settlement Layer (CSL) and Cardano Computation Layer (CCL).
• Ouroboros consensus mechanism: Operational principles, benefits compared to Proof of Work.
• Understanding ADA - Cardano's token and its role in the ecosystem.
• Activities:
• Hands-on practice creating a Cardano wallet and performing a small transaction.
• Supporting Materials: Slides, wallet usage guides.

Session 3: Smart Contracts and Plutus

• Duration: 2 hours
• Content:
• Concept of smart contracts: Benefits and applications.
• Introduction to Plutus: Smart contract development platform on Cardano.
• How to write a simple smart contract using Plutus.
• Activities:
• Hands-on practice writing a simple smart contract.
• Supporting Materials: Slides, guide to writing smart contracts with Plutus.

Session 4: Building Decentralized Applications (dApps) on Cardano

• Duration: 2 hours
• Content:
• Introduction to dApps: Concepts, benefits, and operational methods.
• Tools and frameworks for developing dApps on Cardano.
• Example of a simple dApp: The process of building from idea to deployment.
• Activities:
• Hands-on practice developing a simple dApp on Cardano.
• Supporting Materials: Slides, dApp development guides.

Session 5: Real-World Applications and Future of Cardano

• Duration: 2 hours
• Content:
• Real-world applications of Cardano: From finance to education and more.
• The future of blockchain and Cardano in the context of evolving technology.
• How to get involved in the Cardano community and development projects.
• Activities:
• Open discussion about the future of blockchain and how students can participate in this field.
• Supporting Materials: Slides, articles, and videos related to the real-world applications of Cardano.

Each session will include presentations, hands-on activities, and supporting materials to ensure students can effectively absorb the knowledge.

Promoting active community participation is essential for the success of the Cardano governance model. This workshop will highlight the importance of participation from a wide range of stakeholders, including university students interested in learning about the Cardano Blockchain.

The University of Transport and Communications was chosen as the venue for this workshop. The University of Transport and Communications saw a strong attendance at the local event of Cardano Summit 2023 and is therefore an ideal location to host the first workshop in the region. The chosen location will be easily accessible.

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

The project will provide students with practical skills in blockchain technology, empowering them to innovate in decentralized applications. It fosters a new generation of blockchain-savvy professionals, driving wider blockchain adoption and technological advancement.

[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?

We are on the board of the University of Transport and Communications Blockchain Club

We have successfully organized previous cardano hackathons (Cardano Blockchain Hackathon Vietnam 2024 -22/9/2024- Recap)

Our team consists of experienced developers and blockchain educators with a strong background in Cardano and decentralized technologies. We will validate feasibility through hands-on workshops, participant feedback, and collaboration with industry professionals. Transparent reporting and open-source contributions will ensure trust and accountability throughout the project.

As proof of knowledge and research skills, some of our current proposals funded are attached:

The project has been funded by fund 10:

• Proposal funded 1: “🇻🇳 Vietnam Cardano Catalyst - NFT Exchange testing and development environment helps young people approach with the Web3.0 platform”
• Proposal funded 2: "Study guide for Marlow"

The project has been funded by fund 11:

• Proposal funded 1: “Tamper-proof Certificate System”
• Proposal funded 2: “CareBlock: Empowering secure healthcare transactions by Cardano”
• Proposal funded 3: “Dualtarget for ADA-Holders (Staking and increasing assets) with a decentralized automated trading bot”
• Proposal funded 4: “🇻🇳 The Complete Aiken Course Cardano: From Zero to Expert!”

The project has been funded by fund 12:

• Proposal funded 1: "Open source dynamic assets (Token/NFT) generator (CIP68)"

Other activities

• Article 1: "Students Scientific Research with Cardano Blockchain"
• Article 2: "Students Scientific Research with Cardano Blockchain"
• Article 3: "Scientific research results of students of the University of Transport and Communications 2024"
• Article 3: "Cardano Blockchain Hackathon Vietnam 2024”

Validation of Feasibility

To ensure effective financial management, we will adopt the following strategies:

• Budget Planning: We will meticulously allocate funds for development, operations, and marketing activities.
• Transparent Cost Tracking: Maintaining clear records of all expenses will promote accountability and visibility.
• Regular Reporting: Regular reports will help us evaluate financial performance and guide our decisions.

To validate the viability of our approach, we will use both quantitative and qualitative measures:

Quantitative Validation:

• Track the number of modules upgraded and added via GitHub.
• Track the number of tasks exported from Jira
• Track user engagement through the number of active users on the platform.

Identity Validation:

• Conduct user satisfaction surveys to gather insights.
• Measure the level of excitement in project presentations to gauge interest.

Transparency and communication are fundamental to us. We prioritize open dialogue with all stakeholders, provide regular updates, and foster a collaborative atmosphere so that everyone is involved in the project’s progress.

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

Milestone 1: Workshop Preparation - 2 weeks

• Schedule the workshop, publish details of the workshop modules, and spread the word

Outputs:

• Event schedule. Registration form published.
• Detailed workshop curriculum.
• Advertise the workshop on social channels.

Milestone 2: Deploy and organize Workshop - 5 weeks

• Conduct the workshop as scheduled

Outputs:

• Educate the audience about Cardano Blockchain technology (smart contract programming languages) and introduce Project Catalyst to everyone.
• Active participation from attendees, sharing perspectives and ideas.

Final Milestone: Post-Workshop Review and Resource Sharing - 2 weeks

• Prepare detailed workshop report

Output:

• Detailed workshop article
• Photos and videos for reference
• Participant feedback from attendees

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

Members of the University of Transport and Communications Blockchain club:

Mr. Thanh - President

Experiences: 

• Experienced leading and managing the operations of the projects, organizations, and club.
• Project funded at fund 10, 11 in Project Catalyst.
• Project Manager at DEMARKET.
• Experienced 2 years of building an operating on the Cardano Blockchain.
• Blockchain & Sustainability Researcher.

Contact:

Email: khuatthanh456@gmail.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/robertkhuat

Github: github.com/thanh2k3zz

Mr. Son - Vice President

Experiences: 

• More than a year of building and operating on the Cardano Blockchain platform.
• 6 months working with Haskell and Plutus languages, 4 months working with Aiken programming language.
• Project funded at fund 10, 11 in Project Catalyst.
• Experience in dApp development and skills in writing smart contracts with Aiken language.
• 2 years of experience developing AI/machine learning/deep learning, data science,...

Contact:

Email: son211204228@lms.utc.edu.vn

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michael-flynn-a34325283

Github: github.com/sonson0910

Mr. Phung Tien Dung - Head of External Relations

Experiences: 

• Full-Stack Developer | Blockchain Developer
• Experience: Software engineering expert with 5+ years in Vietnam's tech scene. 2+ years in blockchain
• Programming Language: Php , NodeJS, Python, C, C++, Haskell, Aiken
• Projects: Multiple completed projects funded by Catalyst
• Skills: dApp development with NextJS and smart contract writing with Aiken

Contact

Email: tiendung0325@gmail.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tid-vn

Github: github.com/tidvn

Mr. Minh Le - Head of Communications

Experiences:

• Senior Lecturer at Teky Academy.
• Founder TEX Solution.
• Business Analyst at CareBlock and UTCert.
• Blockchain & Sustainability Researcher.
• Two years of building and operating on the Cardano Blockchain platform.

Contact:

Email: minhld.dev@gmail.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dinhminhle

Github: github.com/dinhminhlh

Mr. Bach Trinh - Advisor

Experiences: 

• Software Engineer at GrapeCity.
• Co-Founder TEX Solution.
• Full-Stack Developer and Blockchain Developer at CareBlock and UTCert.
• Blockchain & Sustainability Researcher.
• Two years of building and operating on the Cardano Blockchain platform.

Contact:

Email: txbach.11@gmail.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/trinh-bach

Github: github.com/Bachhsunkid

Mr. Tran Huy Hiep - Advisor

Experiences: 

• Software Engineer at Samsung R&D.
• Co-Founder TEX Solution.
• Technical Lead/Project Manager at CareBlock and UTCert.
• Blockchain & Sustainability Researcher.
• Two years of building and operating on the Cardano Blockchain platform.

Contact:

Email: tranhuyhiep0710@gmail.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tranhhiep

Github: github.com/TranHuyHiep

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

Budget breakdown for 5 workshops:

• Venue rental: 1500 x 5 = 7,500 ADA
• Preparation of teaching materials: 1000 x 5 = 5,000 ADA
• Speakers (2 speakers per session): 1000 x 2 x 5 = 10,000 ADA
• Social media costs: 350 x 5 = 1,750 ADA
• Project management (9 weeks): 550 x 9 = 4,950 ADA

Total budget: 29,200 ADA

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

This project brings value for money to the Cardano ecosystem by engaging a new sector in the governance conversation and preparing the local community for the coming Voltaire era.

The project promotes decentralization and inclusivity by educating users about the Cardano Blockchain, smart contract programming, and interoperability. An informed and engaged community will reinforce diversity and representation in Cardano’s governance model, ensuring that decision-making reflects the global user base.