Blockchain technology is revolutionising industries across the globe, and its influence continues to grow in the Philippines. Yet, a significant challenge persists: many students lack a practical understanding of how blockchain can be applied in real-world scenarios. Recognising this gap, Bitskwela, a Filipino edutech platform, has partnered with Sonic Labs to bring hands-on blockchain education to universities. The collaboration focuses on equipping students with the essential skills and knowledge to thrive in the rapidly expanding blockchain industry.
By bridging the gap between theory and practice, the Blockchain Student Alliance (BSA), supported by Sonic Labs, is empowering the next generation of innovators and professionals to explore blockchain’s immense potential. This post will explore how the Bitskwela-Sonic Labs partnership is shaping the future of blockchain education and why it’s crucial for universities to adopt such programs.
Bitskwela and Sonic Labs: Pioneering Blockchain Education in the Philippines
Bitskwela’s mission is simple yet transformative: to make blockchain education accessible and practical for Filipino students. The platform, in collaboration with Sonic Labs, aims to provide more than just theory. It focuses on real-world applications of blockchain technology, ensuring students can see its impact in diverse industries like healthcare, supply chains, and even voting systems.
Blockchain’s potential is vast, but many students only understand its theoretical aspects, often limiting their career opportunities. Through the Blockchain Student Alliance (BSA), Bitskwela addresses this challenge by providing students with practical, hands-on blockchain experience, making the technology more tangible and approachable.
Why Blockchain Education is Critical for the Future
The importance of blockchain education cannot be overstated. As industries continue to integrate blockchain, the demand for skilled professionals is rising rapidly. But there’s a problem: the skills gap. While blockchain is a hot topic in the tech world, many students lack the necessary tools and knowledge to apply it in practical settings.
Andrea Pilapil, the BSA leader, highlighted this issue during the launch of the educational initiative. “Blockchain is often limited to tech students, while non-tech students miss out on the wider potential of blockchain applications. We need to broaden the scope of blockchain education,” she stated.
The partnership between Bitskwela and Sonic Labs seeks to bridge this gap by teaching students not only the technical skills needed to build blockchain applications but also the business and real-world implications of blockchain technology.
Sonic University: Simplifying Blockchain Concepts for All
Sonic Labs brings a key educational resource into the mix: Sonic University. This initiative was created to simplify blockchain concepts and make them accessible to a broader audience. Through interactive lessons and real-world case studies, Sonic University aims to ensure that students—regardless of their technical background—understand how blockchain can be applied in various sectors.
By using dapp platforms (decentralised applications), Sonic Labs empowers students to gain practical experience. This approach not only demystifies blockchain but also helps students understand its transformative potential in industries like finance, healthcare, and supply chain management.
Workshops and Hands-On Learning: Reaching Over 500 Students
The Blockchain Student Alliance has already made significant strides in the academic community. From October to November 2024, Jiro Reyes, the CEO of Bitskwela, and Andrea Pilapil conducted a series of workshops for over 500 students at universities across the Philippines. These workshops offered students a chance to explore blockchain in a hands-on environment, solidifying their understanding of how it works in practice.
Universities Involved:
- Mapua University
- Manila Central University
- Tangos National High School
- University of Southeastern Philippines
- University of the Cordilleras
By focusing on real-world use cases, these workshops encouraged students to see how blockchain could improve various sectors. For example, supply chain management is often plagued by inefficiencies; blockchain’s transparency and security features provide an ideal solution to track goods in real time.
Overcoming Challenges: Teaching Blockchain to Non-Tech Students
One of the biggest hurdles the program faces is how to teach non-tech students about the broad applications of blockchain. Many universities focus their blockchain curriculum on programming or cryptocurrency, but Bitskwela and Sonic Labs aim to expand the scope.
Andrea Pilapil explains: “While tech students are often familiar with blockchain, non-tech students miss out on its potential applications in business, healthcare, education, and even government sectors. Our goal is to make blockchain a valuable tool for all students, not just those in tech fields.”
This comprehensive approach helps create well-rounded students who can take advantage of blockchain’s many use cases, from improving digital governance to creating smarter, more efficient supply chains.
Expanding Blockchain Education in Schools
The potential for blockchain education is huge, and Bitskwela plans to take it further. By integrating blockchain education into non-tech courses, the company aims to foster a more inclusive understanding of the technology.
Some future initiatives may include:
- Research and innovation hubs focused on blockchain applications
- Blockchain hackathons for students to solve real-world problems
- Blockchain modules in courses unrelated to tech, like business and law.
The idea is to make blockchain a cross-disciplinary field that can empower students to explore opportunities in various industries, not just technology.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Blockchain Education
Looking ahead to 2025, Bitskwela plans to continue its BSA tour, providing more workshops, interactive activities, and networking opportunities for students. By connecting students with industry leaders and fostering collaboration, the goal is to make blockchain education more accessible and practical.
As the blockchain industry continues to grow, educational initiatives like these are crucial for ensuring that students are ready to take advantage of the career opportunities in this field. Whether in supply chains, healthcare, or finance, blockchain’s potential to revolutionise industries is just beginning.
Conclusion
The partnership between Bitskwela and Sonic Labs marks a significant step forward in bringing practical blockchain education to universities across the Philippines. By focusing on hands-on learning and real-world applications, these organisations are setting the stage for a future where students, no matter their discipline, are equipped to use blockchain to drive innovation.
Blockchain education is no longer just for tech enthusiasts—it’s for anyone looking to explore the future of business, finance, and society. With Bitskwela and Sonic Labs leading the charge, the next generation of blockchain pioneers is already on its way.
Relevant Links for Further Reading
- Bitskwela: Blockchain Education
- Sonic Labs: Decentralised Apps
- Blockchain in Healthcare
- Blockchain and Supply Chains
- Sonic University: Blockchain Simplified
Photo credit” CryptoRank