Polkadot Announces Third Polkadot Blockchain Academy at UC Berkeley
Polkadot, the next-generation blockchain network driving the movement for a better web, announces the launch of the third iteration of the Polkadot Blockchain Academy (PBA) from July 10 to August 10, 2023, offered in Berkeley, through its collaborative membership with the Berkeley Center for Responsible, decentralized intelligence. Applications to the academy are officially open.
Following the success of the first two programs, the PBA will educate and support the next generation of blockchain engineers and developers. The curriculum is led by Dr Gavin Wood, the globally recognized founder of Polkadot and Ethereum, with support from leading engineers and researchers from the Polkadot ecosystem, Parity Technologies and the Web3 Foundation.
Pauline Cohen Vorms, head of the Polkadot Blockchain Academy, said: “To make the Web3 vision a reality, we need talented developers equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to build cutting-edge technology and viable use cases. PBA enables us to to support the blockchain ecosystem by giving the next generation of blockchain developers the tools they need to succeed, while fostering a sense of community among them – the heart of what Web3 is all about.”
PBA serves Polkadot’s mission to create a fairer internet by equipping engineers with the educational resources and foundation to actively build upon and contribute to the Web3 ecosystem. The curriculum will cover topics including economics, governance, game theory, cryptography, peer-to-peer and distributed network systems, systems and API design, and include a hands-on component for developers to practice what they learn in the classroom.
Beyond the month-long blockchain course, PBA organizes additional events to cultivate strong relationships between like-minded individuals. These events provide networking opportunities to encourage interaction between other like-minded students.
Graeme Fox, former PBA Cambridge student, and current co-founder and CEO of Societal, said: “Learning from Gavin Wood and lead engineers from Parity and the Web3 Foundation improved my knowledge of cryptography, blockchain and Polkadot enormously. The whole Polkadot ecosystem is very committed to helping developers and projects grow and succeed. It was a privilege to be mentored by such a talented and supportive group of people. The Academy had participants from all over the world, with different backgrounds and experiences, eager to expand their knowledge of Web3.”
In addition to its commitment to education, the PBA strives to promote diversity in the blockchain ecosystem by welcoming engineers of all ages from around the world. The first edition in Cambridge brought together students from 18 different countries, and the second iteration in Buenos Aires saw representation from 26 different countries. In an effort to address the skills gap that accompanies rapid technological progress, PBA welcomes students with varying levels of experience: from 19-year-old graduates to highly experienced Web2 software engineers, all are encouraged to apply.
To learn more about the PBA and apply, visit
About Polkadot
Polkadot provides the technical advances necessary to make blockchain technology practical, accessible, scalable, interoperable and future-proof, removing limitations and barriers to entry, thereby stimulating innovation, increasing the decentralized technology space and bringing the Web3 vision to life.
About the Berkeley Center for Responsible, Decentralized Intelligence (RDI)
Berkeley RDI is an interdisciplinary, campus-wide initiative, focused on advancing the science, technology, and education of decentralization
