@b1142d9f3ca4b786006a74c98316d75f4b39078ed2bc3f01aa109efd5d533ea8 [Posted on DevHub](https://near.social/#/devgovgigs.near/widget/Post?id=1782) ## Idea: BlockchainUNN Club, University of Nigeria **Proposal for NEAR Campus Program** **UNN Blockchain Club Overview** About Us: BlockchainUNN is a dynamic and inclusive tech community dedicated to providing comprehensive cryptocurrency and blockchain education to members of the University of Nigeria community. Our primary objective is to equip students and enthusiasts with essential knowledge and hands-on experience in blockchain technology, its development, and its many opportunities. While centered at the University of Nigeria, our diverse community welcomes blockchain enthusiasts from various fields, institutions, and campuses, fostering a collaborative environment for innovative exploration. Our Activities Includes: 1. Workshops and Seminars: Regular workshops and seminars cover a wide range of blockchain-related topics, from the fundamentals of cryptocurrency to smart contract development. 2. Hackathons and Coding Challenges: We organize hackathons and coding challenges to promote practical problem-solving and innovation within the blockchain space. 3. Guest Lectures and Industry Talks: Renowned experts and industry leaders are invited to share their knowledge and insights, inspiring our community to explore diverse applications of blockchain technology. 4. Community Projects: Collaborative projects provide members with hands-on experience and the chance to contribute to meaningful blockchain-based initiatives. Previous Event Articles: FIRST EVENT: https://cryptotvplus.com/2022/03/blockchain-unn-blockchain-conference-2022/ SECOND EVENT: https://technext24.com/2023/07/05/blockchainunn-biggest-campus-conference/ **Objectives** Our participation in the NEAR Campus Program aligns with the following objectives: Be a bridge between students of the UNN Blockchain club and the NEAR ecosystem, actively participate 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. **Implementation Plan & Activities** Formation of NEAR Node: * Establish a dedicated NEAR agenda within UNN 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 UNN. * Guest Lectures and Discussions: Lectures and panel discussions with NEAR and other guests. * Signing up Club members for mentorship with NEAR specialists and organizing two online 1:1 or group sessions. * Internship and Placement Programs: Organize online/IRL job fairs 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 by** * Progress Feedback: The club and Near campus team will engage in follow-up calls to monitor 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: UNN Blockchain Club's Engagement in NEAR Ecosystem** **January 2024: Awareness and Events** Activities: * Announce our Partnership and Establish the BLOCKCHAINUNN NEAR Node as an official NEAR Campus participant. * Organize an IRL workshop/meetup on blockchain fundamentals and NEAR-specific features. * Follow up the IRL event with an online event - an introductory webinar on NEAR Protocol for club members/the academic community, and begin registration for the Bootcamp next month. * The NEAR Team will Develop educational materials and resources related to NEAR for a boot camp to happen next month. **February 2024: Education, Research and Development** Activities: * Organize a 4-6 weeks Bootcamp on how to Build on BOS/Near. **March and April 2024: Community Building and Partnerships** Activities: * Organize a hackathon for participants of the Bootcamp/ NEAR development track with the Near Team coming in as Judges (3 weeks after the Bootcamp ends) * Encourage club members to participate in open-source NEAR projects. * Host guest lectures and panel discussions with NEAR industry experts. * Initiate partnerships with NEAR-related projects or startups for internships * Launch a NEAR-focused research grant program for student-led projects from the Bootcamp/Hackathon. **Overall KPIs:** Community Engagement: Monitor the level of engagement within the members and NEAR ecosystem (For example, 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—one in-person and one online per term. Funding Each IRL Event Hosting - $ 3,500 Hackathon - $3,500 (Split across top 5 projects) This plan outlines a structured approach for the UNN 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.