Ripple has made a significant investment of $1 million in the National Fintech Center at Morgan State University, as part of its ongoing University Blockchain Research Initiative. This partnership aims to promote blockchain research and development at leading universities worldwide. The California-based company has been supporting blockchain education and research through its #UBRI program for over six years. By funding over 50 institutions in 26 countries, Ripple has been at the forefront of blockchain innovation and education.
Morgan State University, located in Baltimore, Maryland, has previously collaborated with Ripple on a multi-year fintech program. This program involved the development of new curricula and the expansion of existing tech and finance courses to include blockchain technology. Additionally, Morgan State served as the headquarters for Ripple’s funding efforts for other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Ali Emdad, the founding director of the university’s fintech program, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating that it will drive innovation and collaboration within the field. Emdad believes that equipping students with knowledge of fintech and blockchain technologies will prepare them for the future demands of the industry.
Lauren Weymouth, the head of university partnerships at Ripple, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting Morgan State and other universities. She sees these partnerships as essential in empowering the next generation with the necessary tools to shape the future of finance. Weymouth firmly believes that blockchain technology is a force for good.
Ripple’s University Blockchain Research Initiative has been instrumental in shaping the future of fintech. Over the past six years, the company has funded more than 50 universities across the globe, resulting in the creation or expansion of over 600 courses and the financing of over 1,500 blockchain research projects.
In addition to financial support, Ripple offers various forms of assistance to universities. For example, at Morgan State, the company sponsored a student-led hackathon, attracting participants from HBCUs. The event featured a workshop on the XRP Ledger, and a sustainability idea with community-driven incentives emerged as the winner.
Eric van Miltenburg, the senior vice president for strategic initiatives at Ripple, acknowledged the growing interest in crypto and blockchain knowledge among the younger generation. He commended HBCUs in the UBRI network for paving the way and ensuring that this interest is supported. Van Miltenburg expressed excitement about Morgan State’s continued efforts to empower its students and launch ambitious projects that will contribute to the diversification of the XRP Ledger ecosystem.
With the latest funding, Morgan State University plans to integrate blockchain with AI and machine learning, allowing students to explore and innovate with these cutting-edge technologies.
Despite a modest 1% gain in the past day, XRP, Ripple’s native cryptocurrency, is trading at $0.5099 and has managed to maintain its position above the critical support level of $0.5. This stability comes amid growing anticipation of new developments in the SEC case.
