The first Blockchain course by Morgan State finds use cases on campus

On Wednesday evening, during the fall semester, Morgan State University students received cryptocurrency lessons from members of the New York team. ConsenSys , purchased ether and dApp studied.

It was all part of the first blockchain course ever held at Baltimore HBCU. The course brought together universities and industry, as a final event to end last week's lesson. Together with ConsenSys team members, representatives of the payment protocol Ripple sitting next to university leaders such as Associate Dean Ali Emdad of the Morgan & # 39; s School of Business and Management. Raised interest through a blockchain club and a round table, a Baltimore technologist Yaya Fanusie he proposed the course to the directors of Morgan State, who welcomed the possibility of allowing students to gain experience with technology that promises to shape the future workforce, said Emdad.

The course was offered at the business school, which makes sense given the link of blockchain with fintech. However, while cryptocurrency may be an area on which financial experts are focusing, it was the day the students came to an end.

During a final presentation held last week, Fanusie, who worked as a course professor, stressed that exploring technology use cases was an important aspect of technology development. With technology still at a very nascent stage, it challenged students to think of solutions that are possible using existing tools like cryptocurrency and smart contracts.

It's not just a question of software developers creating solutions, but "the key to adoption will come from people who understand," How should I use it? & # 39; " Fanusie said.

For their projects, students have devised solutions to tackle the problems they face on campus. The students explained to which practical applications they would address their decentralized apps, or dApps, the blockchain tools they would use, as well as the potential regulatory challenges they would face. Many of the apps have involved bringing a peer-to-peer model to some of the technologies we've seen in the on-demand economy. The approach means less influence from a company and a more direct interaction between the two parties involved in a transaction.

Here is an overview of what they want to start:

Trying to open new ways to borrow money for college, this team aimed to create a solution that would help students borrow from former students who used cryptocurrency. For the pupils, it would represent a way to give back to the school that directly supports the students. The team includes Ernest Buren, Devin Burke, Ahmad Abdulmajeed is Irene Camunag.

The dining rooms close at 9pm on campus, but this team wants to create a way for late-night food. The dApp would involve students cooking one for the other and collecting some money along the way. Blockchain tools would make transactions easier and will keep funds in storage until meals are completed. The team includes Solomon Sterling, Rashae Hilson, Sean Osborne is Qadir Rhoe.

Morgan State students explored using the blockchain to create a business. (Photo by Stephen Babcock)

Ridesharing on campus gets a peer-to-peer appearance through this dApp. The idea is to allow students to have a more direct path than the one that offers transportation on campus and allow students who have cars to earn on the daily journey. Furthermore, the company would have a lower percentage of the commission compared to existing ridesharing companies. The team includes Saxfield Chatmon, Tunji Ogefo, Juwan Whitehead is Kiley Williams.

This dApp seems to offer a new approach to university housing, linking potential tenants directly with homeowners. The solution also includes matching tools, in which the roommates could identify each other based on their preferences. Like Arper, the team tries to collect lower commissions than existing companies. The team includes Bolaji Ajayi Abdulaziz Altuwaijri, Oluwaseun (Faith) Onaolapo is Brian Ogu.

Textbook rental has emerged as a book-buying solution, but this team wants to go a step further by allowing students to negotiate specific rental dates and save money. Books are listed via a dApp and use smart contracts. The team includes Fahad Alotaibi, Abdulrahman Alharbi, Oladapo Olawuyi is Calik Wright.

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