Developer Coding Bootcamp and Lab Practical

‍Project Overview

We propose to conduct four workshops that each comprise a DLT developer coding bootcamp and lab practical in the form of hands-on training and use cases. Our target audience will be faculty members, students, researchers, and industry professionals. Each workshop is designed to span five days and will include fundamentals of DLTs, a study of various DLT platforms, smart contract programming and development of distributed applications (DApps).

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Abstract

This project proposes to conduct four workshops, each consisting of a five-day DLT developer coding bootcamp and hands-on lab practicals. The target audience includes faculty members, students, researchers, and industry professionals. The workshops will cover the fundamentals of distributed ledger technologies (DLTs), explore various DLT platforms, and provide in-depth training on smart contract programming and the development of distributed applications (DApps). Through a combination of theory and practical use cases, participants will gain the skills needed to understand and develop within the DLT ecosystem.

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Background

The Principal Investigator (PI) and his team bring extensive expertise in distributed computing, trust systems, and Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs). In 2022, they offered a course titled *Blockchains: Fundamentals and Applications*, which covered DLT foundations, smart contract programming, and DApp development, similar in scope to the proposed workshops. This course was highly rated by participants and successfully managed from content creation to completion. The PI collaborated with IITM Pravartak, showcasing their ability to deliver impactful DLT education. The Co-PI, V. Shanmuganeethi, from NITTTR Chennai, brings complementary experience in organizing technical training programs, further enhancing the team’s capability to deliver the upcoming workshops. The previous course covered theoretical DLT concepts, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, smart contract development in Solidity, and practical applications such as NFTs, DeFi, and blockchain analytics. This background provides a strong foundation for the successful execution of the proposed workshops.

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Objectives

This project aims to raise awareness and foster deeper engagement with Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs) through a series of workshops targeting students, researchers, faculty, and industry professionals. The workshops will provide both foundational knowledge of DLT platforms like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Hyperledger, and hands-on experience in smart contract programming and DApp development. The goal is to inspire participants to explore new use cases, leading to startups, research initiatives, and industrial projects. By encouraging collaboration between academia and industry, these workshops aim to create lasting synergies, promote DLT adoption in academic curricula, and build a robust ecosystem for DLT science and development. Success will be measured through participant outcomes, including innovative projects and greater integration of DLTs in educational institutions.

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Expected Outcomes and Impact

These workshops aim to foster the widespread adoption of Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs) by equipping students, academics, and professionals with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to drive the development of DLT tools and services. Expected outcomes include enhancing the capabilities of faculty members to integrate blockchain technology into academic curricula, benefiting future students who will enter the workforce equipped with these skills. Industry professionals will gain valuable insights, leading to the development of innovative products and services. The workshops will expose participants to both the potential and challenges of DLTs, encouraging the creation of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) and smart contracts, and opening up new job opportunities in these fields. By promoting collaboration between academia and industry, the project aims to drive DLT adoption, ultimately contributing to economic growth and societal well-being.

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Ecosystem Development 

This project aims to foster greater awareness and development of Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs) such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Hyperledger, and Hedera Hashgraph by conducting workshops that combine foundational knowledge with hands-on training in smart contract programming and DApp development. The goal is to enable students, academics, and professionals to engage with the creative and practical aspects of DLTs, leading to new startups, industrial projects, and research in the field. These workshops are expected to facilitate synergy between academia and industry, creating opportunities for student internships, industrial collaborations, and faculty engagement in DLT curriculum development. The project aspires to build a community of DLT enthusiasts who will continue collaborating through follow-up activities such as hackathons and advanced workshops. Long-term, the project aims to drive the integration of DLTs into academic curricula, promote research, and build a nationwide network supporting DLT science and development, culminating in annual symposiums to sustain momentum.

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Methodology & Implementation

The project aims to deliver four workshops titled "Developer Coding Bootcamp and Lab Practical" to impart blockchain concepts and practical skills to students, faculty members, and industry professionals. These five-day workshops will be held in NITTTR locations across Chennai, Bhopal, and Chandigarh, with the first two days focusing on foundational theory and the basics of smart contract programming, conducted online. The remaining three days will be in-person, offering hands-on training in blockchain platforms like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Hyperledger, and Hedera, with participants completing mini-projects on DApp development using Solidity. The course content, designed by PI Prof. John Augustine from IIT Madras, will cover both theory and practical components, including modern blockchain consensus mechanisms and decentralized application development. Administrative support, technical setup, and outreach will be managed by NITTTR, ensuring smooth delivery of the workshops and participant engagement.

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Conclusion 

In conclusion, this project will deliver four comprehensive workshops designed to equip students, faculty, researchers, and industry professionals with practical knowledge and hands-on experience in Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs). Through a combination of foundational theory and advanced training in platforms like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Hyperledger, participants will gain valuable skills in smart contract programming and DApp development. These workshops aim to foster stronger ties between academia and industry, encouraging the creation of startups, research initiatives, and new industrial applications. Long-term, this initiative seeks to drive broader DLT adoption, inspire curriculum development in educational institutions, and build a collaborative DLT community through ongoing activities such as hackathons and symposiums.

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