RMIT ranked among the world’s best for blockchain research

Tiếng Việt

RMIT ranked among the world’s best for blockchain research

RMIT University was ranked third in the world for the study of digital currencies, according to a leading provider of institutional grade cryptocurrency market data.

The list of 10 universities(link is external) dedicated to the study of cryptocurrency was published this month by digital assets provider Kaiko.

The ranking praised RMIT University for its “cutting-edge innovation when it comes to combining economic and technological research”.

RMIT’s Blockchain Innovation Hub(link is external) (BIH) in Melbourne, Australia has become well known for engaging with policymakers and media to explore how blockchain could impact the regulatory and economic environment.

From Vietnam, RMIT’s Centre of Digital Excellence (CODE) has been collaborating with BIH to promote research and development initiatives to government, businesses and educational institutions, and build productive research partnerships between Asia, Australia and Europe.

Associate Professor Jerry Watkins, CODE Director, said CODE was currently “working closely with RMIT researchers Dr Thai Nguyen, Dr Binh Nguyen and Dr Huy Pham, examining opportunities in trade finance as well as property and real estate to identify possible blockchain futures for Vietnam”.

BIH Senior Research Fellow Dr Christopher Berg (pictured 2nd from left), BIH director Professor Jason Potts (pictured 3rd from left), CODE Senior Coordinator Yen Huynh (pictured 4th from left), Dr Binh Nguyen (pictured 4th from right) and Dr Thai Nguyen (pictured 3rd from right) at the event, Blockchain, Tradetech & Supply Chain Management held in Hanoi last year.

To date, publications from the researchers have ranged from bitcoin returns and the impact of new altcoins to asymmetric monetary policy effects on cryptocurrency markets.

All three researchers work in the Economics & Finance Department within the School of Business & Management at RMIT Vietnam.

Dr Binh, who also contributes to a series on the digital economy in the publication Vietnam Investment Review, said the announcement from Kaiko was valuable recognition.

“We are very honoured and proud to be ranked third in the world, as this highlights industry recognition of our expertise in Blockchain. It is absolutely essential for RMIT to continue with frontier research in this field to service policy makers, businesses and individuals with insights that help them to make decisions shaping the future digital economy,” he said.

Dr Thai added: “Blockchain is new from the social science perspective and although academic research in this area is still in its early stages, [blockchain’s] potential to disrupt contemporary business models has been largely agreed upon by academia. It will alter the way businesses operate and economic participants behave due to a more decentralised, transparent and efficient process.”

Blockchain, the technology behind the cryptocurrency Bitcoin, has been referred to as one of the most disruptive innovations and impactful technologies developed in recent years.

In 2018, RMIT University launched Australia’s first university short course on blockchain strategy at its Melbourne campus, in response to the growing importance of blockchain as an emerging industry. This course will be available soon to students at RMIT’s Saigon South campus.

From 1-3 August 2019, CODE will host its second Blockchain Roadshow which will feature public talks, seminars and workshops for key business and government stakeholders in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. BIH Senior Research Fellow Dr Christopher Berg will join the roadshow team and deliver a keynote presentation on blockchain.

Story: Jasmijn van Houten and Lisa Humphries