Peter Szilagyi, the team lead of Ethereum, recently expressed his disappointment with his alma mater’s lack of interest in providing opportunities for students to collaborate with Ethereum (ETH). Despite his efforts to engage and inspire students through talks about Ethereum, Szilagyi witnessed a disheartening lack of genuine interest from the students. Instead of focusing on the project itself, the students seemed more concerned about the price of Ethereum. This narrow perspective hinders the potential for meaningful collaboration and innovation within the university ecosystem.
Organizers Prioritizing Shallow Marketing Effect
Szilagyi also highlighted the disappointing attitude of the organizers of his talks. He observed that they often used the event as a mere advertising campaign, fixating on the “number go up” aspect of Ethereum’s price. This approach not only misrepresents the true purpose and potential of Ethereum but also undermines the educational value of these talks. Rather than engaging students in a holistic understanding of the technology and its applications, the organizers inadvertently perpetuate a shallow and speculative mindset among the attendees.
In a benevolent attempt to ignite student interest and incentivize collaboration, Szilagyi organized a grant for nine students to participate in Devconnect, a prominent event in the Ethereum community. The grant covered their flights and accommodation expenses. However, Szilagyi was disappointed to find that the students were unaware of the source of funding for this opportunity. The lack of recognition and appreciation for such a generous initiative reflects a disconnect between the university’s administration and the students.
Ignored Outreach and Missed Collaboration Opportunities
Szilagyi reached out to his university contacts, including the person coordinating the grant, to recommend potential students for paid collaboration opportunities. However, he received no response from the university, leaving him in the dark about the outcome. This lack of communication and initiative from the university administration deprives students of valuable chances to collaborate with industry professionals and gain practical experience in the field. It also demonstrates a failure on the part of the university to leverage its network and foster meaningful connections between students and industry leaders.
Contrary to the university’s indifference, there is a growing demand for crypto and blockchain courses in universities around the world. Major companies such as Oracle, Amazon, and Google actively seek professionals with crypto and blockchain knowledge to develop innovative products. Furthermore, information systems students are expressing increased interest in learning about decentralized applications. The market is evolving, and universities need to recognize and respond to this changing landscape by providing relevant and engaging educational opportunities for their students.
France Takes the Lead
In a recent development, France has taken a proactive step by establishing the Institute of Crypto-Assets. This institute aims to support and conduct research related to blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. By creating such institutions, countries like France are positioning themselves at the forefront of blockchain innovation and education. Other universities and educational institutions should take note and emulate these initiatives to ensure that they are not left behind in the rapidly evolving world of crypto and blockchain technology.
The lack of collaboration opportunities and an outdated approach to education exhibited by Szilagyi’s alma mater is a missed opportunity for both the university and its students. It is imperative for educational institutions to adapt and embrace the growing interest in Ethereum and blockchain technology. By doing so, they can provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in this emerging industry, while also fostering meaningful collaboration and innovation.