by Samira Sarraf

RMIT puts $6M towards Blockchain Innovation Hub

News
Feb 10, 2020
BlockchainEnterprise Applications

Wants to be a leader in blockchain research and engagement

block chain innovation hub 09 12 19 ac 2985 1
Credit: RMIT

RMIT has announced a $6 million investment in its Blockchain Innovation Hub (BIH) as the University aims to become a leader in research and engagement in blockchain.

BIH was launched September 2017 and is claimed to be the “world’s first” first research centre on the social science of blockchain.

Part of the multimillion-investment has been directed to the Blockchain Business Lab, which will work on the development of new regulations, skills and capabilities sought by industry and will count on expertise from the University’s Business, Law, Economics and Sociology teams among others.

The investment will also go towards enhancing the BIH’s research and education capabilities to ensure students are ready for life and work in this new decentralised economy.

“Our academics are at the forefront of shaping the blockchain industry internationally, as well as preparing our students with the digital skills of tomorrow,” deputy vice chancellor (business and law) and vice-president professor Julie Cogin said. 

“This investment demonstrates RMIT’s reputation for providing high quality, industry responsive programs and research relevant to the national and global market place and builds on our proud history of developing the person, leader and enterprise with the knowledge and skills they require for a sustainable and fair future.”

The recently launched National Blockchain Roadmap the Australian Government stated this is the right opportunity to build “a solid cohort of blockchain professionals”, which RMIT started to address in 2018, when it launched a blockchain strategy university short course.

“As the world’s first dedicated social science research centre into blockchain technology, the RMIT Blockchain Innovation Hub is leading the way in both research and education,” Blockchain Innovation Hub co-director Chris Berg said. “Our goal is to ensure that Australian students are ready for life in the blockchain economy and that Australian research makes its mark in this incredibly exciting space.”