By Jefferson Geiger

San Francisco Bay University was one of the first higher education institutions to offer a course on blockchain technology. Soon, the course’s professor will speak on the digital ledger used for cryptocurrency and beyond for MIT.

The class came to fruition when Professor Ahmed Banafa approached School of Engineering Dean Thawi Iwagoshi on the topic. Banafa quickly got to work on writing a textbook, and “Blockchain Technology and Applications” was published in 2020.

According to Banafa, only two other schools at the time were offering courses completely devoted to blockchain.

“I am pleased that prominent schools recognize our efforts,” Banafa said of being invited to talk. “We are always at the cutting edge of technology. This term, I am teaching quantum computing, a subject that only a few universities have included in their programs, and we are proud to be one of them.”

The blockchain class is extremely popular. It attracts both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as students from SFBU’s schools of business and engineering. Banafa said that no matter a student’s background, he leads them through the basics to build a foundation for learning.

However, the class is more than just reviewing the textbook — which Banafa regularly supplements — and discussing blockchain. There are also hands-on labs.

“You are going to finish the class creating your own cryptocurrency,” Banafa said.

Students also demonstrate the security of the blockchain database and learn the relationship between blockchain and existing technologies like the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and cyber security.

“It’s important to not only study new technologies quickly and thoroughly, but to pass on that knowledge to the next generation,” said Provost Brad Fuster. “I’m proud that SFBU staff and faculty are innovators who quickly adapt to stay up to date in their fields.”

Banafa’s MIT Horizon presentation, “Future of Blockchain Technology: Myths and Facts,” will be delivered on July 17 at 9 a.m. Click here to register for the webinar.

Read more SFBU news here. Got a story? Share it with us.