IBM Teams With Columbia to Launch Block chain Research Center

Technology giant IBM has launched a new research center through a partnership with Columbia University in a move aimed to boost block chain application development and education initiatives.

Opening Tuesday, the center is located in the Manhattan campus of Columbia University in New York City and will, among other things, incubate blockchain applications through a combination of academic and technical expertise, the firm said.

Soon to be announced, a dedicated committee comprised of both Columbia faculty members and IBM research scientists will start reviewing proposals for blockchain "curriculum development, business initiatives and research programs" later this year.

In addition, the center will advise on regulatory issues for startups in the blockchain space and provide internship opportunities to improve technical skills for students and professionals with an interest in the tech.

John H. Coats worth, Columbia University provost, commented in the announcement that he expects the partnership will "significantly advance scholarship and applications," especially for blockchain's use case in data sharing.

Coats worth added:

"Our students and faculty, working together with IBM, will play an important role in the vibrant exchange of ideas and research surrounding this transformative technology."

The announcement marks the latest effort by the blockchain industry to invest in a top-tier university in the U.S. to accelerate blockchain understanding and adoption.

As reported by CoinDesk in June, San Fransisco-based distributed ledger startup Ripple said it will invest $2 million in blockchain research initiatives in the University of Texas at Austin in the next five years, as part of its pledge to invest $50 million in worldwide institutions.

Blockchain at IBM Research
IBM researchers are working with clients, governments and academics to design and develop blockchain solutions that create trust and remove frictions inhibiting business. We're building networks to simplify and secure all types of digital transactions, from financial exchanges, supply chains, IoT and risk management to digital rights management and healthcare.

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Blockchain can do for business what the internet did for communication. Powering that transformation is Hyperledger, hosted by The Linux Foundation, featuring innovators in finance, banking, IoT, supply chains, manufacturing and technology – including IBM. Together, we’re creating open, standardized and enterprise-grade distributed ledger blockchain frameworks and code bases to produce tangible business results.

What is Hyperledger Fabric?
Hyperledger Fabric is the first project to move to active status within the Linux Foundation’s Hyperledger, emerging as the de-facto standard for enterprise blockchain platforms like the IBM Blockchain Platform and others. Through open source and open governance, Hyperledger Fabric features innovative new capabilities hardened for use by businesses so they can usher in a new era of trust, transparency and accountability.

Sources: Coin desk, IBM