University of Wyoming Launches Blockchain and Digital Innovation Center

The University of Wyoming is launching a new Center for Blockchain and Digital Innovation in an effort to train the upcoming workforce on a blockchain application. 

According to Steven Lupien, an adjunct professor of finance and director of the new UW center, blockchain is going to fundamentally change the way businesses and consumers operate in the future, very much like the internet did.  The university will work to develop technical graduate certificates and a joint law and master’s degree.

UW Aiming for a Blockchain Centre with Other Colleges

UW alumni Caitlin Long who served on the Wyoming Blockchain Task Force and chairs UW’s WyoHackathon says that they are working with some of the top scientific universities in the country to provide the perfect environment. She added that the blockchain centre is to encourage economic diversification, bring jobs, and more capital to the state. 

In February, the University of Wyoming received a gift in ADA worth $500,000 from IOHK (Input Output). However, the donation was doubled to $1 million by state matching. IOHK is a leading international tech company. The donation was used to establish a blockchain lab in the College of Engineering and Applied Science that will work in cooperation with corporate partners. 

The UW Center for Blockchain and Digital Innovation will feature a disciplinary approach between colleges in the University of Wyoming. The colleges include the College of Business, the College of Engineering and Applied Science, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the College of Law — as well as the state’s community colleges. 

The centre will focus on encouraging innovation, applied research and education, technological development, economic development, job growth, and corporate engagement. 

Wyoming Fostering Blockchain Development

Wyoming is a pioneer state known for firsts. In recent years, the state passed groundbreaking legislation to create a regulatory environment to foster blockchain application growth and diversify the economy of the state. 

There are just a few universities nationwide with such blockchain centers, including Arizona State University, the University of Arkansas, Carnegie Mellon University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Duke University, the University of Michigan, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and the University of Texas-Austin.