Binance Charity and UNIC Announce Awardees of Their Scholarship Programme for Local Youth

The partnership removes financial barriers for local youth offering 5 full scholarships to the UNIC’s leading MSc in Blockchain and Digital Currency

Binance Charity, the philanthropic arm of Binance, the world’s leading cryptocurrency and blockchain infrastructure provider, and The Institute for the Future (IFF) of the University of Nicosia (UNIC), announced their partnership. The partnership will see Binance Charity provide five full scholarships for prospective students from Cyprus and Greece to study the world’s leading graduate programme in the field, MSc in Blockchain and Digital Currency, offered by UNIC.

The announcement was made during the first ever Binance Meetup to take place in Nicosia, Cyprus, on 22 November 2022.

The Scholars

Charilaos Papanastasiou, Cyprus

“I have worked in financial risk management for 15 years. I have been reading extensively about blockchain and its applications for some time now. Recently, due to extreme developments, my company ceased its operations. My keen interest in blockchain and my decision to use my circumstances as an opportunity to evolve led me to pursue a move from traditional finance to the broad crypto/blockchain industry.

I started researching courses and postgraduate programmes that would allow me to gain an in-depth and formalised view of the applications of blockchain and, at the same time, build relationships within the crypto and blockchain community.

The University of Nicosia (UNIC) is known for its embracement of new technologies and for its forward-thinking in terms of offering degrees for pioneering industries. I concluded that the MSc in Blockchain and Digital Currency programme was the most high-level and credible academic programme in the field. The combination of academics and industry experts teaching on the programme, the university’s ties to the industry, and the comprehensive syllabus truly make it a unique proposition for learning and networking.

I was honoured to learn that I was offered the Binance scholarship, and I would like to thank Binance and UNIC’s Institute For the Future for offering me the opportunity to study on this well-structured programme.”

Evgenios Pampakas, Cyprus

“Having recently completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Law and concluded a year as an apprentice Lawyer, I realised the legal significance and practicality of digital currencies and the blockchain impact on the shift from centralised economies to a new era of decentralization.

The decision to pursue the MSc in Blockchain and Digital Currency unfolded before me when I attended the Blockchain Fest in May 2022. Being fortunate to listen to industry pioneers and acquire insights regarding the evolution of blockchain and digital currencies, as well as the challenges they encompass, I was surely intrigued.

I am honoured with the Scholarship. I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to immerse myself in all aspects of postgraduate life and learn and evolve through educational professionals and forerunners of the Digital Economy and the Blockchain.

I want to thank both UNIC and Binance for the generous gift that made my education and personal development attainable. Through their support, I can accomplish much of what I never thought possible. I am forever grateful for their trust and generosity.”

Froso Karaolidou, Cyprus

“I have been researching cryptocurrency trading and new projects for some time now. Blockchain technology is one of the latest emerging technologies and of great interest to me. Digital Currencies are the fuel that powers the Blockchain and thus it is very important to learn how to utilise them. These last few months I have come to realise that I want to enrich my knowledge to match the change blockchain is bringing. A knowledge that I believe can be empowered at one of the leading universities in this sector, a university that strives to innovate and help us future-proof our knowledge.

It is with sincere gratitude that I received this scholarship from one of the leading crypto exchanges in the world to pursue my studies. I am excited about this honour, and I am deeply appreciative of the support I was granted as one of the recipients. This scholarship means a huge jump start to a new, extremely desired future.”

Kyros Tsourdinis, Greece

“I have chosen to apply to the MSc in Blockchain and Digital Currency programme at the University of Nicosia for a few reasons. Firstly, I am passionate about blockchain technology and its potential to revolutionise and transform industries worldwide. I am also intrigued by the innovative and cutting-edge research that is being conducted in the field, and I am eager to learn more and expand my knowledge of the subject. Additionally, I am impressed by the University of Nicosia’s commitment to providing world-class education in this field and by the diverse range of courses and modules offered.

Being granted the Binance scholarship is a tremendous honour and a huge responsibility. To me, it means that I am part of a larger movement to use blockchain technology to make a positive impact on the world and to create a better future for all. The scholarship gives me an incredible opportunity to help build a better future, and I am extremely grateful for it. It also reinforces my belief that I can achieve my goals and make a real difference in the world with hard work and dedication.”

Dimitris Vagiakakos, Greece

“I am thrilled to have been accepted into the MSc in Blockchain and Digital Currency programme at UNIC and honoured to have been awarded the Binance scholarship. This programme is the perfect opportunity for me to deepen my understanding of decentralized finance and token economics.

My passion for this field has been evident throughout my undergraduate studies in Digital Systems Security and my experience creating the Blockchain Camera as my final year thesis, as well as creating educational videos on YouTube/LBRY about Ethereum Hacking. I have already taken advantage of the university’s free MOOCs on decentralized finance and digital currency, which inspired me to study more about the economic perspective of Blockchain Technologies. I am excited to continue my education in cutting-edge technologies. I am confident that the knowledge and skills I will gain from the programme will help me advance my career.

I am determined to use the knowledge and skills I will gain from the programme to contribute to open-source projects and the wider blockchain community. I am grateful for the opportunity to further my education and make a positive impact in the field.”

The Scholars

Charilaos Papanastasiou, Cyprus

“I have worked in financial risk management for 15 years. I have been reading extensively about blockchain and its applications for some time now. Recently, due to extreme developments, my company ceased its operations. My keen interest in blockchain and my decision to use my circumstances as an opportunity to evolve led me to pursue a move from traditional finance to the broad crypto/blockchain industry.

I started researching courses and postgraduate programmes that would allow me to gain an in-depth and formalised view of the applications of blockchain and, at the same time, build relationships within the crypto and blockchain community.

The University of Nicosia (UNIC) is known for its embracement of new technologies and for its forward-thinking in terms of offering degrees for pioneering industries. I concluded that the MSc in Blockchain and Digital Currency programme was the most high-level and credible academic programme in the field. The combination of academics and industry experts teaching on the programme, the university’s ties to the industry, and the comprehensive syllabus truly make it a unique proposition for learning and networking.

I was honoured to learn that I was offered the Binance scholarship, and I would like to thank Binance and UNIC’s Institute For the Future for offering me the opportunity to study on this well-structured programme.”

Evgenios Pampakas, Cyprus

“Having recently completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Law and concluded a year as an apprentice Lawyer, I realised the legal significance and practicality of digital currencies and the blockchain impact on the shift from centralised economies to a new era of decentralization.

The decision to pursue the MSc in Blockchain and Digital Currency unfolded before me when I attended the Blockchain Fest in May 2022. Being fortunate to listen to industry pioneers and acquire insights regarding the evolution of blockchain and digital currencies, as well as the challenges they encompass, I was surely intrigued.

I am honoured with the Scholarship. I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to immerse myself in all aspects of postgraduate life and learn and evolve through educational professionals and forerunners of the Digital Economy and the Blockchain.

I want to thank both UNIC and Binance for the generous gift that made my education and personal development attainable. Through their support, I can accomplish much of what I never thought possible. I am forever grateful for their trust and generosity.”

Froso Karaolidou, Cyprus

“I have been researching cryptocurrency trading and new projects for some time now. Blockchain technology is one of the latest emerging technologies and of great interest to me. Digital Currencies are the fuel that powers the Blockchain and thus it is very important to learn how to utilise them. These last few months I have come to realise that I want to enrich my knowledge to match the change blockchain is bringing. A knowledge that I believe can be empowered at one of the leading universities in this sector, a university that strives to innovate and help us future-proof our knowledge.

It is with sincere gratitude that I received this scholarship from one of the leading crypto exchanges in the world to pursue my studies. I am excited about this honour, and I am deeply appreciative of the support I was granted as one of the recipients. This scholarship means a huge jump start to a new, extremely desired future.”

Kyros Tsourdinis, Greece

“I have chosen to apply to the MSc in Blockchain and Digital Currency programme at the University of Nicosia for a few reasons. Firstly, I am passionate about blockchain technology and its potential to revolutionise and transform industries worldwide. I am also intrigued by the innovative and cutting-edge research that is being conducted in the field, and I am eager to learn more and expand my knowledge of the subject. Additionally, I am impressed by the University of Nicosia’s commitment to providing world-class education in this field and by the diverse range of courses and modules offered.

Being granted the Binance scholarship is a tremendous honour and a huge responsibility. To me, it means that I am part of a larger movement to use blockchain technology to make a positive impact on the world and to create a better future for all. The scholarship gives me an incredible opportunity to help build a better future, and I am extremely grateful for it. It also reinforces my belief that I can achieve my goals and make a real difference in the world with hard work and dedication.”

Dimitris Vagiakakos, Greece

“I am thrilled to have been accepted into the MSc in Blockchain and Digital Currency programme at UNIC and honoured to have been awarded the Binance scholarship. This programme is the perfect opportunity for me to deepen my understanding of decentralized finance and token economics.

My passion for this field has been evident throughout my undergraduate studies in Digital Systems Security and my experience creating the Blockchain Camera as my final year thesis, as well as creating educational videos on YouTube/LBRY about Ethereum Hacking. I have already taken advantage of the university’s free MOOCs on decentralized finance and digital currency, which inspired me to study more about the economic perspective of Blockchain Technologies. I am excited to continue my education in cutting-edge technologies. I am confident that the knowledge and skills I will gain from the programme will help me advance my career.

I am determined to use the knowledge and skills I will gain from the programme to contribute to open-source projects and the wider blockchain community. I am grateful for the opportunity to further my education and make a positive impact in the field.”

The partnership

The partnership’s goal is to foster the next generation of leaders in the cryptocurrency industry, aligning with UNIC’s mission to educate leaders, develop knowledge, and build communities to help society prepare for a future shaped by transformative technologies. At the same time, it puts into action Binance Charity’s commitment to building a better ecosystem for blockchain and cryptocurrency, making financial opportunities accessible to everyone. Binance Charity seeks to demonstrate the power of blockchain and cryptocurrency for societal and economic good through global philanthropic investments in education and development. This is in line with the University of Nicosia’s declared objective of expanding the accessibility and affordability of higher education.

As a result of this partnership, UNIC will join a global network of like-minded academic institutions involved in Web3 and Blockchain that Binance Charity is establishing. The learnings and insights from this network will be shared across our industry to inform the future of Web3 education.

The programme | MSc in Blockchain and Digital Currency

The MSc in Blockchain and Digital Currency is the world’s first and the leading master’s degree in the field, with more than 1,350 students enrolled since 2014. In line with UNIC’s objective to expand accessibility and affordability of higher education, the programme is available to students worldwide in both online and on-campus formats.

Students of the MSc in Blockchain and Digital Currency programme will study modules in law and regulation in blockchain, digital currency, principles of money, banking & finance, entrepreneurship management as well as blockchain systems and architectures, all focused on existing and emerging crypto applications, such as Decentralized Finance (DeFi) and asset tokenization.

Moreover, graduates are vigorously recruited into a range of interdisciplinary positions at the intersection between management, computer science, and finance, by top employers in the US, the UK, and Western Europe.