UB offering two-day crash course in blockchain

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Software developers, entrepreneurs, students, senior managers and anyone interested in understanding the basics of blockchain technology are invited to a two-day course next month at the University at Buffalo.

Blockchain Foundations, scheduled for June 12-13 at Davis Hall on UB’s North Campus, is an introduction to the world of Bitcoin, blockchain and distributed ledgers.

It is being offered by the Center for Industrial Effectiveness (TCIE) in coordination with the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE).

“Despite a recent cool-down in the cryptocurrency market, we believe blockchain technologies will continue to play an important role in many applications, including health care, manufacturing, logistics, law and finance,” says SUNY Distinguished Professor and CSE chair Chunming Qiao.

The course facilitator is Bryant Nielson, founder and CEO of The Blockchain Academy. Nielson has written extensively about blockchain and regularly speaks at conferences worldwide, including numerous engagements in New York, Chicago, London, Mexico City, Moscow and Dubai.

He echoes Qiao’s comments, saying blockchain technology is radically changing “much of what is going on in many different types of industries.”

“Oftentimes people confuse Bitcoin with blockchain,” Nielson says. “There’s a lot of things happening in blockchain technology that’s beyond Bitcoin.”

The course covers a brief history of Bitcoin and blockchain, examines how Bitcoin works under the hood and demonstrates the practical usage of Bitcoin and blockchain technology through use cases spanning multiple industries.

“We are pleased to team up with the experts at The Blockchain Academy to offer this course as a way to fulfill UB's mission,” Qiao says, “which is to bring the benefits of its research, scholarship and creative activity, and educational excellence to global and local communities.”

The course costs $795. Registration is available on TCIE’s website.

For more information, contact Mariah Glass, UB TCIE training program coordinator, at 716-645-8840 or mariahgl@buffalo.edu.

UB TCIE leverages assets of the UB School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) to improve the operations of external business and industry partners, and meet critical and emerging workforce needs. It resolves a wide spectrum of corporate challenges through technical assistance, OpEx/continuous improvement consultation, and professional education. For more information on how TCIE can assist Western New York businesses, visit buffalo.edu/tcie or call 716-645-8800.