@9a47e1b536c8ad5a783dce41e1a547e6402763e7d55dba5b7b02cdb6938cf73e [Posted on DevHub](/devgovgigs.near/widget/Post?id=2055) ## Idea: Duke X Near Campus Program # Duke Blockchain Club ## Duke University ### Proposal for NEAR Campus Program ### Duke Blockchain Club Overview Duke Fuqua Blockchain Club raises awareness about disruptive blockchain technology by providing education and resources to students, builds and provides resources to student owned startups and facilitates recruiting in the blockchain space through corporate partnerships. The Blockchain Club is run by MBA students in collaboration with undergraduate students, the Pratt School of Engineering, Duke Law and more. Our goal is to establish Duke as a blockchain research and innovation leader. Objectives •Our participation in the NEAR Campus Program aligns with the following objectives: Be a bridge between students of Duke Blockchain club and the NEAR ecosystem, actively participating in the NEAR ecosystem through Near Campus activities, including educational workshops, guest lectures, and encouraging members to contribute to open-source Web3 projects actively. Implementation Plan & Activities •Formation of NEAR Node: Establish a dedicated NEAR agenda within Duke 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. •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 fairs, where members can learn about internships and/or job placement opportunities. •Bootcamp on Rust and NEAR ecosystem (Remotely and/or IRL) ## 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: Duke Blockchain Club's Engagement in NEAR Ecosystem •Start Date: [11/1/2023] End Date: [05/01/2024] •Months 1-3 (Fall): Awareness and Education ### Activities: •Establish the Duke 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. •Months 3-6 (Spring): 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 web3 and NEAR ecosystem (If there is a lack of understanding we can organize more workshops and online 1:1). •This 3-month plan outlines a structured approach for the Duke 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.