Go Global Office of Global Engagement

Switzerland - Emerging Issues and Perspectives on Web3, Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technologies

ARST 575N/LIBR 559U | 3 credits

Program overview

This course is led by Victoria Lemieux and Chang Lu,  School of information, Faculty of Arts 

  • Course dates: July 9-19, 2024
  • Travel dates: July 8–20, 2024
  • Format: in-person 
  • Location: Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Rotkreuz, Switzerland 
  • Approximate program fee: ~$4050-4550 (Go Global fee, tuition and flights are not included) 
  • Funding available (click through to learn more about each award) 

Information Session Recording Available

Recording here: https://ubc.zoom.us/rec/share/azibagweSyT5viMIfS6vrOdw6X3ublQb9pWgGVX2lXut1fvLtDgsL8uVVpD30sU_.-i0vJ4q3CZzeyg6C?startTime=1699292310000
Passcode: pGk6&MrI

Apply by December 5, 2023

Application instructions here

Apply Now

About the course                                                                                                               

First offered in 2017, the goal of this course is to provide upper undergraduate and graduate students from any discipline at UBC with advanced, specialized training in Web3, blockchain and distributed ledger technologies (DLTs). Topics covered include basic blockchain architecture and operations, privacy, security, and trust and blockchain/DLTs, self-sovereign digital Identity & systems, emerging international standards and use cases, technical knowledge on various blockchain/DLT protocols, blockchain/DLTs, and understanding of blockchain and DLTs in social, economic, legal and political contexts. The training days incorporate a mix of in‐class plenary presentations, seminar‐style discussions, and hands‐on lab work involving individual and team‐based design and coding. In‐class training is supplemented by videos, readings and lab exercises to be completed in advance of each session to make best use of in‐class time. The training sessions culminate in a “blockathon for social good”, sponsored by the partners of Blockchain@UBC and Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, in which students will work as members of interdisciplinary teams to design and prototype blockchain solutions for social good and community well‐being. 

Program eligibility  
General Global Seminar requirements

To participate in a Global Seminar, students must: 

  • Be in good-standing in their faculty (as defined by home faculty) 
  • In the year leading up to the Global Seminar, have full-time student status (as defined by home faculty)  
  • Have completed 2nd year requirements before the start of the program (i.e., eligible for 3rd or 4th year standing)  
  • Have at least a 70% academic average in your last full-time academic session before applying 
  • Maintain a 70% academic average leading up to the program
  • Meet any program specific requirements listed below including pre-requisites before participating   
Program-specific requirements
  • Students must be UBC upper level undergraduate or graduate students 
  • The course is cross-listed between the Masters of Archival Studies programme and the Masters of Library and Information Studies programme. Students from outside of these programmes must obtain approval for registration in courses outside of their programme of study. 
  • 4th year computer engineering students are encouraged to apply 

Final selection will be done by the lead faculty program directors. Spots in the program may be limited. 

Students who wish to participate in the summer after graduating may be eligible on a case-by-case basis.

Experience and conditions in the Field

The programme will be run jointly with Lucerne University (HSLU) 

Students will meet industry partners who will participate as guest lecturers as well as have the opportunity to interact directly with faculty and students from HSLU for the exchange of knowledge.

Accommodations

Students will stay in “Smart Apartments” serviced apartments in Zug, a 15 minute train ride away from the Rotkreuz campus of HSLU. 

Program fees and costs
Approximate program fees: $4050 - $4550.00* 

*The final fee depends on the number of students in the program. All Global Seminars only run if there is a minimum number of students enrolled.       

Included:  
  • Accommodations
  • Program- related travel in-country; (e.g. buses)  
  • Excursions and entrance fees  
  • Some group meals  
  • On-site guest lectures
Not Included:  
  • Go Global Fee
  • Flights
  • UBC tuition for credits  
  • Visa/country entrance fees  
  • Health/travel insurance
  • Personal spending money*  

*Some examples of personal costs included: mobile communication, personal transportation that is not related to the learning outcomes of the program, additional meals that are not already identified as part of the Program Fee, immunizations, Visas, etc.

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