Current and future generations of students are getting increased exposure to Bitcoin, other cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. These are the key findings of a survey conducted by the research company Qriously among top universities all over the globe and their students.
Universities Include Courses on Cryptocurrency in Their Curricula
Teaching students about digital currencies and the blockchain is a strong trend in the curricula of the most prestigious universities across the globe. At the present, 42% of the top 50 universities in the world offer their students the chance to learn about Bitcoin, Ethereum and other digital currencies.
According to the survey conducted by Qriously, the top three universities that currently offer courses on cryptocurrencies are:
- Stanford University, USA – 10 courses
- Cornell University, USA – 9 courses
- University of Pennsylvania, USA – 6 courses
Blockchain – a Technology with a Strong Impact on Various Disciplines
The growing interest in blockchain comes from students specializing in a wide range of disciplines. The respondents to the Qriously survey are studying:
- Computer science
- Medicine
- Economics & Math
- Humanities
- Social Science
- Business
- Law
Speaking of the students’ growing interest in Blockchain, Dawn Song, professor of computer science at the University of California at Berkeley stated: “Blockchain combines theory and practice and can lead to fundamental breakthroughs in many research areas. It can have really profound and broad-scale impacts on society in many different industries.”
Students Are Enthusiastic to Learn about and Own Bitcoin
The students involved in the Qriously survey indicated that the younger generation’s general views on cryptocurrencies are positive. Thus:
- 26% of the respondents are interested in taking a course on cryptocurrency;
- 18% of them already own cryptocurrency;
- 9% have already taken a course on cryptocurrency.
This enthusiasm is not purely theoretical or scientific. Students recognise the importance of becoming early experts in new technologies in order to secure a better job and start on a successful career path.
In the words of Benedikt Bünz, a doctoral student at Stanford University, “if you’re an expert in cryptocurrencies and cryptography you’ll have a difficult time not finding a job”.