Exploring the Transformative Power of Web3 Technology in Regional Communities
Representatives from the Web3 industry, including CRYPTO TIMES, Meta Akita, Climbers by Platinum Egg, and IOST, organized a workshop titled ‘The Digital Future: Blockchain-driven Local Revitalization in Regions.’ This event took place at Akita International University on December 1, 2023. The workshop, which focused on blockchain technology and local revitalization, was a collaborative effort between industry and academia, specifically designed for students at Akita International University.
Akita International University (AIU) was founded in 2004 as Japan’s first public university corporation by Akita Prefecture. Located on the former Minnesota State University Akita campus (MSU-A), AIU has gained recognition for its unique educational features. These include conducting all classes in English, having half of its faculty from overseas, mandatory first-year dormitory residence, a compulsory year of study abroad, and a library open 24/7 year-round. These distinctive characteristics have quickly elevated AIU to be among the top universities in Japan in terms of deviation value, education satisfaction, and employment rates.
Source: https://web.aiu.ac.jp/aiutopics/53114/
The introduction was led by the team behind the Regional Revitalization Web3 Education Workshop, with Professor Florent Domenach offering support since conducting a blockchain education workshop at AIU in 2018. Participants included Mr. Nisato, a current student; Mr. Hirata, an AIU alumnus now actively researching at CRYPTO TIMES; Mr. Nick from the blockchain game Climbers, and members from TASUKOF, a spin-off company endorsed by the Akita Dog Preservation Society, a public interest incorporated association founded by volunteers from Akita Prefecture.
Mr. Nisato, the student representative, explained the fundamental mechanisms of blockchain, emphasizing its safety, transparency, decentralized nature, and crucial elements like smart contracts. He also discussed how blockchain technology ensures transaction immutability and can eliminate the need for centralized institutions. This year, Mr. Nisato participated in a three-week international summer school, “Deep Dive into Blockchain,” offered by the Blockchain Center at the University of Zurich. He has been self-studying programming and has secured a position as an engineer at a system development company upon graduation. Mr. Nisato has honed the problem-solving skills that Akita International University aims to cultivate.
Mr. Hirata, an AIU alumnus, currently works as a researcher for CRYPTO TIMES. He discussed the challenges faced by local regions in Japan and initiatives for regional revitalization, particularly focusing on Akita Prefecture. He highlighted issues such regions are grappling with, including aging populations, population decline, and reduced tax revenue. Additionally, he introduced new examples of regional revitalization through blockchain technology, such as local cryptocurrencies and NFTs, and discussed how these technologies can reinvigorate local economies and communities.
Nick from the universally popular Web3 game “Climibers” delved into the emerging trend in the Web3 service ecosystem, where finance intertwines with social networking services and gaming, all driven by blockchain technology. He also elucidated the distinctions between in-game economies of blockchain games and Web2 games, as well as the use of cryptocurrency tokens, governance tokens, and NFTs. A student raised a question about how GameFi companies generate revenue.
In the final lecture of the Regional Revitalization Web3 Academic and Educational Workshop, TASUKOF, the representative of Meta Akita, addressed the audience. This session showcased initiatives for regional revitalization employing Akita dogs and blockchain technology. Meta Akita, a spin-off company officially recognized by the Akita Inu Preservation Society, was established by volunteers from Akita Prefecture. They are working on collaborations between food culture, including sake, and Akita dogs, as well as the integration of Akita dogs into the metaverse. Furthermore, Meta Akita introduced the concept of a “Web3 Town” to digitize Akita Prefecture. This Web3 Town envisions a digital ecosystem aimed at addressing the challenges Akita faces, such as an aging population, talent shortages, vacant housing issues, and a lack of social interaction.
The workshop on regional revitalization and Web3 education with Akita International University students has become a platform where lectures and interactive discussions occur concurrently. In Japan’s local areas, such an environment, where students and faculty from various nationalities can discuss Web3, is a valuable learning opportunity for students, bringing fresh perspectives and approaches to the industry and contributing to the development of Web3. IOST would like to express gratitude once again to Mr. Nisato, the current student, and Mr. Hirata from CRYPTO TIMES for their efforts in organizing and managing the event, to the Meta Akita team and Mr. Nick from Platinum Egg for their contributions from the industry, and to the understanding professors at Akita International University. Together with the enthusiastic students of Akita International University, we will continue to explore how blockchain can contribute to local communities and pursue our efforts in regional revitalization through Web3.
The enthusiasm and initiative of AIU students were evident in their active networking with industry professionals at the after-party. One student brought her own PC and presented her unique project. Workshop participants from the industry were impressed by the students’ excellence and high motivation. It’s clear why many major companies are eager to recruit students from AIU.
IOST, in collaboration with Japanese Web3 stakeholders, will continue to contribute to Web3 education and talent development in Japan!
About IOST
High fees and slower transaction times on the Ethereum network have left the door open for new solutions to emerge, and IOST is one such project that has been gaining traction since its mainnet launch in 2019.
Backed by significant financial and VC firms such as Sequoia, Matrix, and ZhenFund, IOST is a pioneering decentralized, high-throughput, gas-efficient Proof-of-Believability-powered smart contract platform built to tackle the scalability trilemma once and for all. For this, the concluding ranking from China’s CCID ranked IOST as the best blockchain platform under Basic Technology, better than Ethereum, EOS, and every other smart-contracting platform evaluated by the agency. This is a testament to the quality and ability to roll out a better, innovative product and reflects our genuine desire to be the best in the sphere.
Being one of the public chain leaders in adoption, performance, and utility, IOST remains committed to our mission to unleash the power of blockchain. IOST currently has an ever-expanding 500,000 members community in over 20 countries, over 400 nodes, a top-tier staking ecosystem, and symbiotic relationships with corporations dotted worldwide.
If you would like to hang out with the IOST community on chat or social media or discuss product development, we have something for everyone:
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Unlocking the Digital Future: How Blockchain Drives Local Revitalization was originally published in IOST on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
