Kerala Blockchain Academy (KBA), the Centre of Excellence in Blockchain under Digital University Kerala (DUK), has entered into a strategic collaboration with IIM Lucknow Enterprise Incubation Centre (IIML-EIC) to strengthen blockchain innovation, research and entrepreneurship in India.

The partnership aims to build a robust and scalable blockchain ecosystem through a range of joint initiatives focussed on research, skill development, start-up incubation and policy support. As part of the collaboration, the institutions plan to establish a Blockchain Development Lab that will function as an open research facility for start-ups, students, researchers and the public.

A Blockchain Sandbox Environment will also be created to provide a secure and regulatory-aligned platform for testing and validating decentralised applications. Moreover, the collaboration envisions joint industry-oriented curriculum development and capacity-building programmes, including certifications, workshops, internships and mentorship initiatives.

Capacity-building efforts

The partnership will also support national-level capacity-building efforts through hackathons, accelerator programmes, publications and innovation challenges. In addition, the institutions aim to encourage enterprise consulting and policy support through pilot deployments, advisory projects, white papers and policy recommendations.

Official sources pointed out that the collaboration brings together the KBA’s extensive expertise in blockchain training, having trained more than 40,000 learners across 96 countries, with IIML-EIC’s strong start-up incubation ecosystem to create a dynamic platform for innovation, entrepreneurship and real-world blockchain adoption in the country.

Under the agreement, the KBA will serve as the knowledge partner for the IIML-EIC to accelerate blockchain innovation, research and entrepreneurial initiatives.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was formally signed by DUK Registrar A. Mujeeb and IIML-EIC managing director Yamini Bhushan Pandey at a ceremony held recently. The initiatives by DUK will be guided by Vice-Chancellor Saji Gopinath and KBA project coordinator and director Asharaf S.