Plekhanov Russian University of Economics and Bitfury will pilot the program with Russian government funding in the latest of a series of blockchain-related projects announced by higher education institutions.
Plekhanov Russian University of Economics has joined forces with bitcoin mining infrastructure provider Bitfury to pilot a blockchain-focused startup accelerator, Cointelegraph has reported.
The accelerator will be backed by the Russian Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media with the aim of aiding the modernisation of public institutions and large corporations.
Plekhanov’s role will include offering courses and other educational programs to train specialists in quickly creating projects powered by digital technologies.
The accelerator reflects growing interest from higher educations globally in cultivating the development of cryptocurrency and blockchain, with approximately 42% of the world’s top 50 universities now offering classes in the fields, according to Coinbase.
Recent moves by universities in the area have included the reported participation of Yale University’s endowment in a $400m digital asset-focused fund called Paradigm.
Last week, Columbia University joined technology group IBM in announcing two accelerators focused on the blockchain and data transparency space.
Meanwhile, University of Tokyo is reportedly launching a blockchain course with the help of an $800,000 donation from financial service firm Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, and University of Gibraltar has formed an advisory group to look at blockchain-related programs.
