American University of Sharjah, Sui join forces to launch blockchain academy

Sui, the high-performance Layer 1 blockchain platform for decentralised computation,  has partnered with the American University of Sharjah (AUS) to set up the AUS-Sui Blockchain Academy.

This initiative aims to advance blockchain education in the Middle East.

An innovation hub for blockchain developers

Operating under the Center of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Sustainable Development, the academy will open doors to aspiring developers, offering in-depth learning opportunities on various blockchain topics.

“The AUS-Sui Blockchain Academy will equip students with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the evolving landscape of tomorrow,” said Dr Tod Laursen, chancellor of AUS. “It empowers them to engage with trending technologies and pave the way for a future marked by responsible innovation.”

The partnership aligns with the academic pedigree of Sui’s leadership team. Dr Greg Siourounis, Managing Director of the Sui Foundation, holds a PhD in Economics and boasts experience bridging academic pursuits with entrepreneurship.

Similarly, Sui’s co-founders bring strong academic backgrounds, with Kostas Chalkias holding a PhD in cryptography and Sam Blackshear creating the Move smart contract language.

Sui has also established a Web3 programme at the Wheeler Institute for Business and Development at London Business School, awarded $400,000 in Sui Academic Research Awards, and launched an advanced web3 curriculum for high school students in Greece.

Investing in the future

“This academy will equip future builders with the knowledge to create web3 solutions for global challenges,” stated Dr Siourounis. “Seeing this collaboration come to life fills me with pride, especially considering the region’s potential for playing a key role in technological innovation.”

The partnership, facilitated by Sui’s strategic partner Ghaf Labs, opens exciting possibilities for future development.

Feras Al Sadek, founder and managing partner of Ghaf Labs, said: “The AUS-Sui Blockchain Academy will empower future generations to contribute meaningfully to the industry and the region.”

This collaborative effort aims to lay the groundwork for a future where blockchain technology is accessible, understood, and leveraged to create positive change across the Middle East and beyond.

In August last year, Crypto exchange Bybit awarded scholarships to high-achieving students at AUS as part of its continued commitment to supporting education and crypto adoption in the UAE. This was the second announcement following Bybit’s partnership with AUS.