As conversations around the use of blockchain technologies and cryptocurrency become inescapable in South Florida, Pratim Biswas, dean of the University of Miami College of Engineering, has been taking note.
“There is a tremendous technology vortex in the Miami region and the College of Engineering continues to be home to the innovators and creators of the knowledge base that is necessary for any tech sector or region to succeed,” he said. “We have a bold strategic vision to fuel the local technology economy by producing top-notch graduates through cutting edge research and educational programs.”
In order to address the growing interest in these subjects, the college is launching a short course that looks at blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and their impact on the local economy.
The daylong course, which is open to the public and costs $250 to attend, will introduce the basic concepts of cryptocurrency and blockchains. It will review the rules and structures of bitcoin as a cryptocurrency and as a financial asset that could be part of an investment portfolio.
Presenters will include several fintech leaders in discussion on the bitcoin industry. Germán Creamer, associate professor of quantitative finance and business analytics at the Stevens Institute of Technology, will lead the course. A key highlight will be a panel discussion moderated by University experts—Robert Plant, from the Miami Herbert Business School; Avinash Dabir, vice president of Business Development at FTX.us, a cryptocurrency exchange; Gianni D’Alerta, a blockchain and marketing strategist; Edgar Nava, president of Grove Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor firm in Miami
South Florida higher education institutions are actively engaged with the City of Miami’s efforts to create a technology hub in the region.
Vincent Omachonu, professor and chair at the college’s Department of Industrial Engineering, explains that in designing the course “we were mindful of the fact that many of the participants could be novices who are being introduced to this concept, so we want the depth and breadth of this course to be very basic so that people understand how it might affect their world.”
The overarching goal for the College of Engineering is to establish permanent programs and offer graduate degrees in financial engineering.
“We're gauging the appetite and demand for a course like the master's degree program in financial engineering,'' added Omachonu. “This short course will give us a sense of just how much interest there is in doing more in this area in the future.”
Added Biswas: “We want people to know that we are intentionally and continuously cultivating a level of expertise and mastery necessary for us to serve the community.”
The course will take place on Nov. 1, at the Newman Alumni Center. Attendees will receive a certification of participation upon completion. Registration is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, contact Michelle Gomez at m.gomez@miami.edu, or call 305-284-2344.
