--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Virginia Tech Blockchain Club Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Proposal for NEAR Campus Program VT Blockchain Club Overview Blockchain at Virginia Tech was first founded in 2021 by a group of blockchain enthusiasts/VT Hokies. Our motto at VT is Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) @VTBlockchainClub we are committed to serving our community with blockchain-based projects, education, and life-long connections. Our mission is to expand our blockchain community and inspire the next generation of Hokies to continue their learning post college. 🦃 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Objectives Our participation in the NEAR Campus Program aligns with the following objectives: Be a bridge between students of VT Blockchain club and the NEAR ecosystem, actively participating in the NEAR ecosystem through Near Campus activities, including educational workshops, hackathons, and guest lectures, working together in open-source projects, encouraging members to contribute to open-source Web3 projects actively, fostering a collaborative culture. Acquire funding to attend blockchain events while supporting the NEAR ecosystem. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Implementation Plan & Activities Formation of NEAR Node: Establish a dedicated NEAR agenda within VT Blockchain Club to coordinate NEAR Campus activities: Workshops and Courses: Host educational workshops covering Web3 basics and explore the possibility of advanced courses tailored to specific Web3 frameworks. Bootcamp on Rust and NEAR ecosystem (Remotely and/or IRL) Hackathons and Competitions: Organize hackathons and development competitions, inviting students from VT. Guest Lectures and Discussions: Lectures and panel discussions with NEAR and other guests. Signing up Club members for mentorship with NEAR specialists and organizing 2 online 1:1 or group sessions. Internship and Placement Programs: Organize online and/IRL job fair, where members can learn about internships and/or job placement opportunities. Infrastructure Support: Explore opportunities to set up and launch critical Web3 infrastructure components, with a focus on technical assistance, resources, and guidance. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Following up with the activities: Progress Feedback: The club and Near campus team will engage in follow up calls to monitor together progress in achieving the objectives outlined in this proposal. Mapping Improvement: Gather feedback from members and stakeholders to continuously improve our NEAR Campus initiatives. Tracking the path: Generate periodic reports highlighting achievements, successful projects, and lessons learned from participating in NEAR Campus activities. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-Month Plan: VT Blockchain Club's Engagement in NEAR Ecosystem Start Date: [10/16/2023] End Date: [02/16/2023] *skipping college winter break* Month 1: Awareness and Education Activities: Establish the VT NEAR Node as an official NEAR Campus participant. Host an introductory webinar on NEAR Protocol for club members and the academic community. Organize workshops on blockchain fundamentals and NEAR-specific features. 1 IRL and 2 online per term. Develop educational materials and resources related to NEAR for distribution. Month 2: Research and Development Activities: Launch a NEAR-focused research grant program for student-led projects. Organize a hackathon with a NEAR development track. Encourage club members to participate in open-source NEAR projects. Month 3: Community Building and Partnerships Activities: Host guest lectures and panel discussions with NEAR industry experts. Initiate partnerships with NEAR-related projects or startups for internships. Overall KPIs: Community Engagement: Monitor the level of engagement within the members and NEAR ecosystem (For ex attendance in the NEAR focused activities). Impact: Measure the percentage of participants who reported an improved understanding of the NEAR ecosystem (If there is a lack of understanding we can organize more workshops and online 1:1). Hackathon Success: Evaluate the hackathon's success by the number of participants, projects completed, and innovative solutions developed. 1 in person and 1 online per term. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This 3-month plan outlines a structured approach for the VT Blockchain Club to actively engage with the NEAR ecosystem, fostering education, research, and community growth while contributing to the NEAR Campus initiative. Regular monitoring and reporting will ensure the achievement of set objectives and the overall success of the club's involvement with NEAR. @near-campus