Ripple has made a significant investment of $1 million in Morgan State University’s National Fintech Center as part of its global initiative to advance blockchain research and development in leading universities. This partnership aims to support education, research, and technological advancements in the field of blockchain.
Morgan State University, based in Baltimore, Maryland, joins a network of more than 50 institutions across 26 countries that have received funding from Ripple to drive innovation and education in blockchain technology.
This collaboration builds upon a previous investment made by Ripple in February 2019, when the company launched a multi-year fintech program at Morgan State. The program included the development of new curricula, expansion of existing tech and finance courses to incorporate blockchain, and the establishment of Morgan State as the headquarters for Ripple’s funding efforts for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Ali Emdad, the founding director of the university’s fintech program, expressed his excitement about the partnership, highlighting its potential to foster innovation and prepare students for the future of fintech and blockchain. Lauren Weymouth, who heads university partnerships at Ripple, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting Morgan State and other universities, driven by their belief that blockchain technology can positively impact the world.
Ripple’s University Blockchain Research Initiative, which was launched six years ago, aims to shape the future of fintech through partnerships with universities. This initiative has already provided funding to over 50 universities in various countries, leading to the creation or expansion of more than 600 courses and the support of over 1,500 blockchain research projects.
In addition to financial support, Ripple offers various forms of assistance to its partner universities. For example, at Morgan State, the company sponsored a student-led hackathon that attracted participants from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The event included a workshop on the XRP Ledger, and a sustainability-focused idea won the competition.
Eric van Miltenburg, Ripple’s senior vice president for strategic initiatives, expressed his enthusiasm for the growing interest in crypto and blockchain among the next generation. He commended HBCUs in the UBRI network for paving the way and supporting this interest. van Miltenburg also expressed excitement about Morgan State’s ongoing efforts to empower students and launch ambitious projects that will contribute to the diversification of the XRP Ledger ecosystem.
With the latest funding from Ripple, Morgan State University plans to integrate blockchain with artificial intelligence and machine learning, allowing students to explore and innovate in these cutting-edge technologies.
As for Ripple’s XRP cryptocurrency, it is currently trading at $0.5099 and has remained above the critical support level of $0.5 despite a modest 1% gain in the past day. Anticipation is growing regarding new developments in the SEC case, which may impact XRP’s future.
Overall, Ripple’s investment in Morgan State University’s National Fintech Center demonstrates its commitment to promoting blockchain education and research, and its belief in the potential of blockchain technology to shape the future of finance.