[UBA] University Cardano Developer Bootcamp & Hackathon

[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

[UBA] University Cardano Developer Bootcamp & Hackathon

[Proposal Summary] Budget Information

Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA

46000

[Proposal Summary] Time

Please specify how many months you expect your project to last

7

[Proposal Summary] Translation Information

Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated

No

Original Language

en

[Proposal Summary] Problem Statement

What is the problem you want to solve?

IT students need engaging, hands-on programs with mentorship and peer support, not boring text materials that discourage blockchain learning.

[Proposal Summary] Project Dependencies

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

No

Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'

No dependencies

[Proposal Summary] Project Open Source

Will your project's outputs be fully open source?

Yes

License and Additional Information

This project follows open source principles with all educational materials, curriculum frameworks, coding tutorials, and hackathon resources published under MIT License on GitHub. All bootcamp content, digital badge challenges, project templates, and student-developed solutions will be freely accessible, enabling global replication and adaptation by other universities and communities.

[Theme Selection] Theme

Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal

Training

[Campaign Category] Category Questions

Who you’re targeting, how you’ll reach them, and why this matters for Cardano.

• We target university IT students with basic programming knowledge, including Web3 newcomers and those ready to launch blockchain projects. Our reach strategy leverages partnerships with major universities through our University Blockchain Alliance membership and established faculty relationships.
• Vietnam represents a key emerging developer market. By providing accessible education through bootcamps and hackathons, we create a sustainable pipeline of skilled Cardano developers. These students become long-term ecosystem contributors, fostering innovation and community growth.

Provide a list of key activities of your project?

• Develop and deliver multi-level bootcamp programs covering basic to advanced Cardano development concepts
• Organize hands-on hackathons with mentorship, judging, and prizes for collaborative problem-solving
• Create challenges for students to complete Blockchain fundamentals and Cardano Blockchain Certified Associate courses through digital badge posted on linkedin
• Invite companies and startups as sponsors, judges, and mentors for
• Collaborate with media partners to promote Cardano and increase community visibility
• Award CIP68 NFT certificates to successful participants

What are your success metrics?

Summary of Project KPIs

• Total Participants: 250+ students across all bootcamps
• Digital Certifications: 50+ students earning official Cardano Academy badges
• Industry Engagement: 3+ companies actively involved
• Marketing Reach: 900+ people reached across all campaign phases
• Team Projects: 10+ hackathon teams developing Cardano solutions

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

Our solution directly addresses the accessibility and engagement barriers in Cardano education through a comprehensive bootcamp and hackathon program designed specifically for university students:

• Rather than forcing students to navigate dry, monotonous text documentation alone, we create interactive learning environments with practical challenges that test blockchain knowledge. Students engage with real Cardano development concepts through laboratory exercises, coding tutorials thought bootcamps.
• We address the isolation problem by providing dedicated mentors assigned to each participating team, offering expertise, addressing challenges, and helping refine ideas. This creates the supportive learning movement students need - with guidance, peer collaboration, and motivation throughout their blockchain research and practical experience journey.
• Our bootcamps offer two levels - basic and advanced - welcoming students with basic programming knowledge, including Web3 newcomers and those ready to launch blockchain projects. This graduated approach ensures no student is left behind while providing clear progression paths.
• We integrate Blockchain Fundamentals Digital Badge challenges in milestone 2 and Cardano Blockchain Certified Associate Digital Badge challenges in milestone 3. This system serves multiple critical purposes: systematically evaluating student learning outcomes, increasing enrollment for Cardano Academy programs, and creating motivation for students by providing access to high-quality, internationally recognized learning environments. These challenges transform abstract learning into concrete achievements with professional value.
• Successful participants earn CIP68 NFT certificates and Cardano Academy digital badges that can be included in CVs and LinkedIn profiles, providing tangible recognition of their achievements and readiness to contribute to the Cardano ecosystem.
• Our hackathons provide collaborative environments where students apply newly acquired skills to solve real problems, fostering creativity and practical problem-solving while building functional solutions on Cardano.

[Your Project and Solution] Impact

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

• We significantly reduce entry barriers by providing free, accessible educational resources and hands-on learning opportunities specifically designed for students. This democratic approach ensures that financial constraints do not prevent talented individuals from engaging with Cardano, empowering a new generation of developers to contribute to the ecosystem even while still in school.
• By attracting and training new developers through structured bootcamps, we directly address the ecosystem's critical need for skilled technical talent. Our multi-level approach ensures comprehensive skill development from basic concepts to advanced implementation, creating competent developers ready to build sophisticated applications on Cardano.
• The program creates opportunities for students to connect with each other, mentors, and industry partners, fostering a stronger and more vibrant community. This networking effect contributes significantly to the growth and sustainability of the Cardano community by building lasting relationships that extend beyond individual events.
• By collaborating with companies, startups, and media partners while providing recognized certifications, we enhance Cardano's professional reputation and demonstrate its viability for serious business applications. This institutional validation attracts broader adoption beyond the immediate student community.
• Our integration of Blockchain Fundamentals Digital Badge challenges in milestone 2 and Cardano Blockchain Certified Associate Digital Badge challenges in milestone 3 directly increases enrollment for Cardano Academy programs. This systematic approach creates demand for official Cardano education, expanding the global community of certified professionals while validating the quality and relevance of Academy offerings through university-level adoption.
• Unlike temporary initiatives, our program creates lasting educational frameworks and community connections that continue generating value long after initial funding. Participants become advocates who influence peers, family members, and future colleagues, creating compound growth effects throughout the broader technology community.

[Your Project and Solution] Capabilities & 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?

Capability to Deliver with Trust and Accountability:

• Our team demonstrates exceptional delivery capability through documented success in organizing major Cardano community events. We are the core team that successfully organized Community-Led Events Cardano Summit 2022 and 2023 in Hanoi, demonstrating our ability to execute large-scale educational initiatives. Additionally, we have completed 8 funded Catalyst projects (Fund 6: 1, Fund 7: 3, Fund 8: 4) with all projects successfully implemented and marked as completed on IOG's tracking board, establishing our reliability and project management competence.

• We have documented collaborations with 5 major universities, including partnerships with IT faculties at University of Transport and Communications, Phenikaa University, and University of Industry. Our team includes professors and technical experts who understand the academic environment and student needs.

(Photos of the working session with the Faculty of Information Technology - Phenika University)

(Working session with the Faculty of Information Technology - University of Industry)

• Our core team combines deep technical knowledge with educational experience. Members include Cardano stake pool operators (VILAI and ADA pool founder), Plutus Pioneer Program participants, and university lecturers with expertise in computer science, blockchain, and educational program development. This blend ensures both technical accuracy and pedagogical effectiveness.
• We have successfully established blockchain labs, founded blockchain clubs at universities, conducted the first Cardano Blockchain Hackathon gathering students from 5 universities, and provided training for university lecturers. This direct experience with student-focused blockchain education validates our understanding of effective educational approaches.

Validation of Feasibility:

• Our successful first hackathon demonstrated strong student interest and participation across multiple universities. The positive response and learning outcomes from this pilot event provide concrete evidence that our approach resonates with the target audience and achieves educational objectives.
• Our existing partnerships with university IT faculties and documented collaborations on blockchain curriculum development demonstrate institutional willingness to support our programs. University partnerships provide built-in validation through academic oversight and quality assurance mechanisms.

[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

Project Planning & Preparation

Milestone Outputs

• Kickoff meeting and team formation
• Review and finalize bootcamp program outline with assigned workshop leaders
• Comprehensive bootcamp materials preparation (slides, labs, tools, reference documents, course completion challenges)
• Detailed bootcamp schedules and marketing plan
• Complete hackathon planning (timeline, rules, judging criteria, venue, tracks, prizes, marketing plan, partnership plan)
• Project management documentation and progress tracking systems

Acceptance Criteria

• Clear communication of project objectives, schedule, marketing plan, partnership plan with regular meeting minutes
• Documented team structure with defined roles, responsibilities, and communication plan for each member
• Clear learning objectives and target audience defined for each workshop session
• Comprehensive marketing plan with identified target audience, channels, and detailed schedule (dates, times, locations)
• Detailed hackathon plan with clear timeline, rules, judging criteria, venue confirmation, defined tracks/themes, prizes, and marketing/partnership strategies
• Regular progress tracking with risk management and issue resolution strategies in place

Evidence of Completion

• Meeting minutes and records of team formation discussions
• Finalized bootcamp program outline document with complete curriculum
• List of workshop leaders with assigned topics and expertise areas
• Finalized bootcamp schedule and documented marketing plan with timelines
• Comprehensive hackathon plan documentation with all implementation details
• Marketing materials and communication strategy documentation
• Regular meeting minutes reports demonstrating project coordination

Delivery Month

1

Cost

9750

Progress

20 %

Milestone Title

Basic Bootcamp Implementation & Digital Badge Integration

Milestone Outputs

• Comprehensive marketing program execution for basic bootcamps (before, during, and after)
• Bootcamp #1 completion with full curriculum delivery
• Bootcamp #2 completion with hands-on components
• Bootcamp #3 completion with practical applications
• Blockchain Fundamentals Digital Badge challenge implementation for learning assessment
• Project management documentation and progress tracking

Acceptance Criteria

• Target audience successfully reached through various marketing channels (social media, email, university networks)
• Email marketing campaign reaches minimum 300 recipients with documented delivery and engagement rates
• Social media promotion achieves minimum 30 shares across Facebook/Twitter platforms with engagement tracking
• Minimum 150 participants attend across all 3 bootcamp sessions with verified registration and attendance
• All planned workshops delivered successfully with documented attendance and engagement
• Learning objectives met for each workshop with measurable outcomes
• Minimum 30 students successfully earn Blockchain Fundamentals Digital Badges, demonstrating learning assessment, increased Cardano Academy enrollment, and quality learning environment creation
• Regular progress tracking with risk management and issue resolution strategies maintained

Evidence of Completion

• Comprehensive records of marketing activities (social media posts, email campaigns, promotional materials) with performance metrics
• Email marketing analytics showing 300+ recipients reached with open rates and click-through data
• Social media engagement reports documenting 30+ shares with reach and interaction statistics
• Detailed attendance evidences (removed privacy data) for each workshop showing 150+ total participants
• Workshop materials and resources shared with participants, including digital access
• Photos and recordings of bootcamp sessions showing student engagement
• Documentation of 30+ Digital Badge challenge completions with assessment results and Cardano Academy enrollment confirmations
• Regular meeting minutes reports with KPI tracking and progress analysis

Delivery Month

2

Cost

6625

Progress

40 %

Milestone Title

Advanced Bootcamp Implementation & CBCA Digital Badge Integration

Milestone Outputs

• Continued marketing program execution for advanced bootcamps (before, during, and after)
• Advanced Bootcamp #1 completion with technical focus
• Advanced Bootcamp #2 completion with development components
• Advanced Bootcamp #3 completion with practical implementation
• Cardano Blockchain Certified Associate Digital Badge challenge implementation for advanced assessment
• Hackathon venue and facilities preparation with confirmed reservations
• Project management coordination and documentation

Acceptance Criteria

• Target audience reached effectively through various communication channels
• Email marketing campaign reaches minimum 100 recipients with documented delivery and engagement rates
• Social media promotion achieves minimum 20 shares across Facebook/Twitter platforms with engagement tracking
• Minimum 100 participants attend across all 3 advanced bootcamp sessions with verified registration and attendance
• All planned advanced workshops delivered successfully with technical competency demonstration
• Learning objectives achieved for each workshop with measurable skill development
• Minimum 20 students successfully earn CBCA Digital Badges, demonstrating advanced learning assessment, Cardano Academy engagement growth, and motivated learning environment creation
• Hackathon venue guaranteed availability with confirmed facilities booking
• Regular progress tracking with effective risk management maintained

Evidence of Completion

• Records of marketing activities with reach and engagement metrics including performance data
• Email marketing analytics showing 100+ recipients reached with open rates and click-through data
• Social media engagement reports documenting 20+ shares with reach and interaction statistics
• Attendance records for each advanced workshop showing 100+ total participants with technical assessment results
• Workshop materials and technical resources shared with participants
• Photos and recordings of advanced bootcamp sessions
• Receipt/documentation for hackathon venue reservation and facility arrangements
• Documentation of 20+ CBCA Digital Badge challenge completions with advanced assessment outcomes and Cardano Academy enrollment confirmations
• Regular meeting minutes reports with KPI tracking and milestone progress analysis

Delivery Month

3

Cost

8500

Progress

60 %

Milestone Title

Hackathon Preparation & Industry Engagement

Milestone Outputs

• Strategic invitation of companies and startups as sponsors, judges, advisors/mentors, and team members
• Media partnership collaboration for hackathon event promotion
• Comprehensive marketing program execution and hackathon registration opening
• Mentor assignment to participating groups with coaching session coordination
• Preliminary round organization with shortlisting results announcement
• Hackathon prize preparation and award structure finalization
• Project management coordination and stakeholder communication

Acceptance Criteria

• Diverse range of relevant companies and startups successfully invited and confirmed for participation
• Minimum 3 external company representatives confirmed as sponsors, advisors, or judges with documented participation agreements
• Minimum 10 teams registered and confirmed for hackathon participation with complete team information
• Marketing posts across platforms reach minimum 200 people
• Developed media plan with outlined promotional activities and implementation timelines
• Target audience reached through comprehensive marketing channels (social media, email, website)
• Effective guidance and support provided to teams on technical and project-related challenges
• All preliminary round projects evaluated with shortlisted teams identified and feedback provided
• Participating teams feel their contributions are recognized and appreciated
• Regular progress tracking with risk management and issue resolution maintained

Evidence of Completion

• List of invited companies with confirmed participants and defined roles
• List of 3+ external company representatives with role specifications
• Team registration records showing 10+ confirmed teams with member details and project proposals
• Marketing analytics showing 200+ people reached across all platforms
• Records of marketing activities with engagement metrics and registration data
• List of assigned mentors with expertise areas and contact information
• Documentation of mentoring sessions with team progress reports
• Award structure documentation with prize procurement receipts
• Regular meeting minutes reports with KPI tracking and stakeholder communication logs

Delivery Month

4

Cost

8750

Progress

80 %

Milestone Title

Hackathon Execution & Project Completion

Milestone Outputs

• Final round marketing program execution with community engagement
• Updated mentor assignments (if any) with intensive coaching sessions for finalist teams
• Hackathon day execution (pitching presentations, demonstrations, results announcement, and award distribution)
• Comprehensive participant feedback collection and results analysis with published insights
• Project management completion and final project closing tasks
• Project close-out report and video submission

Acceptance Criteria

• Target audience effectively reached through final marketing push across all channels
• Marketing posts across platforms reach minimum 300 people with documented reach metrics and engagement data
• Intensive guidance and support provided to finalist teams addressing technical and presentation challenges
• Professional platform provided for team pitches and demonstrations with successful winner announcement and award distribution
• Comprehensive feedback analysis identifying improvement areas for future events
• Complete project report summarizing activities, outcomes, and lessons learned submitted to Catalyst stakeholders
• All project deliverables completed and documented according to Catalyst requirements

Evidence of Completion

• Records of final marketing activities with community engagement metrics
• Marketing analytics showing 300+ people reached across all platforms with engagement metrics and demographic data
• Updated mentor assignments with documentation of intensive coaching sessions
• Comprehensive list of winners with distributed awards and prizes
• Photos/videos of hackathon event including presentations, demonstrations, and award ceremonies
• Published insights and analysis reports with participant feedback compilation
• Completed and submitted Project Close Out Report/Video

Delivery Month

6

Cost

12375

Progress

100 %

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

1- Project Overview:

Total Budget: 46,000 ADA

Duration: 7 months

2- Milestone-by-Milestone Cost Analysis:

Milestone 1: Project Planning, BootCamps & Hackathons Preparations

Cost: 9,750 ADA (21.20% of budget)

Duration: 1 month

Key Activities: Project kickoff meetings, bootcamp program development and outline creation, comprehensive materials preparation including slides and reference documents, marketing strategy development and hackathon planning, and project management coordination

Milestone 2: Cardano Basic Bootcamps

Cost: 6,625 ADA (14.40% of budget)

Duration: 1 month

Key Activities: Marketing campaign execution across multiple channels, delivery of three complete bootcamp sessions with curriculum implementation, Blockchain Fundamentals Digital Badge challenge administration, and ongoing project coordination

Milestone 3: Cardano Advanced Bootcamps

Cost: 8,500 ADA (18.48% of budget)

Duration: 1 month

Key Activities: Advanced marketing program implementation, delivery of three technical bootcamp sessions with hands-on components, CBCA Digital Badge challenge coordination, hackathon venue preparation and facility arrangements, and project management activities

Milestone 4: Hackathon Preliminary Round

Cost: 8,750 ADA (19.02% of budget)

Duration: 2 months

Key Activities: Industry partnerships development and sponsorship coordination, media collaboration and promotional activities, comprehensive marketing and registration management, mentoring program implementation, preliminary round evaluation and team selection, prize preparation and logistics, and ongoing project coordination

Milestone 5: Hackathon Final Round

Cost: 12,375 ADA (26.90% of budget)

Duration: 2 months

Key Activities: Final marketing campaign execution, intensive mentoring and coaching sessions, complete hackathon day event management including presentations and demonstrations, comprehensive feedback collection and analysis with insights publication, and final project closure activities

3- Resource Allocation by Category:

Educational Delivery (45%): 20,700 ADA

Direct bootcamp implementation, hackathon execution, and student engagement activities

Includes both basic and advanced program delivery with hands-on components

Content Development & Assessment (22%): 10,120 ADA

Materials preparation, digital badge challenges, and educational resource creation

Ensures sustainable, high-quality learning experiences

Marketing & Outreach (19%): 8,740 ADA

Comprehensive marketing campaigns across all milestones

Community engagement and awareness building for Cardano ecosystem

Project Management & Coordination (14%): 6,440 ADA

Professional project oversight, stakeholder coordination, and quality assurance

Ensures accountability and successful delivery

[Final Pitch] Value for Money

How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?

1. Strategic Geographic Market Penetration

The 46,000 ADA investment positions Cardano advantageously in Vietnam's rapidly growing technology sector, where skilled developers often work for international companies. This strategic positioning in Southeast Asia creates competitive advantages in an emerging market currently dominated by other blockchain platforms, generating long-term ecosystem value far exceeding the initial investment.

2. Sustainable Self-Perpetuating Returns

Unlike one-time training events requiring continuous funding, our university integration with digital badge challenges creates permanent educational infrastructure. The Cardano Academy integration ensures ongoing enrollment growth and sustained developer pipeline development without additional ecosystem investment beyond the initial 46,000 ADA.

3. Multi-Dimensional Impact Optimization

This single investment simultaneously addresses critical ecosystem needs: developer talent pipeline creation (250+ participants), Cardano Academy enrollment growth (50+ digital badge completions), industry partnership development (3+ companies), and strategic Vietnamese market penetration - maximizing impact efficiency compared to separate initiatives.

4. Leveraged Infrastructure and Partnership Value

University partnerships provide substantial in-kind contributions including venues, facilities, promotional support, and academic oversight - typically worth 30-40% of traditional program costs. Industry sponsorships and mentorship further amplify value, making the 46,000 ADA investment generate significantly higher total program value.

5. Scalable Template Development with Long-Term ROI

Our educational framework, digital badge integration, and partnership models become replicable intellectual property for universities across Southeast Asia and globally. This creates exponential value multiplication where the initial 46,000 ADA investment generates methodology and relationships that can be adapted internationally, positioning Cardano advantageously in emerging markets for

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

Terms and Conditions:

Yes