THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Even as blockchain is creating ripples across the world, women comprise only five percent of the global blockchain talent, and seeking to alter this scenario, Kerala Blockchain Academy (KBA) has taken a vital step by launching a Blockchain Women Connect.
This decisive step to form the peer group was made at the at the three-day blockchain summit ‘BlockHash Live 2018’, which concluded on Saturday, at Kovalam here. During a panel session at the summit on Friday, the participants unanimously agreed to the fact that women should shed the gender tag in their profession and do what excites them. The panelists also highlighted the general reluctance of women to enter the tech world.
Jennifer Greyson, Founder and CEO, Neureal, said in the US women are shying away from technology-related jobs due to the huge pay gap. “My firm is actively seeking to include women in our new projects. We are looking for hiring more female employees but they tend to shy away from tech-related jobs. It’s about finding out what excites her.”
Sushmita Ruj, Assistant Professor, ISI, Kolkata, said women don’t market themselves in their profession. Talented girls should be identified at a younger age and they need proper mentors and role models. Meanwhile,Parvathy. P.B, blockchain developer, suggested that if women get a perfect peer group, they can flourish.
Lakshmi, student of IIITM-K, was also present. Jennath. H.S was the moderator. Earlier, speaking at a session, M. Prasanna Lohar, Head-Innovation and Architecture, DCB Bank, said that a lot of awareness has to be done to pave the way for the implementation of blockchain technology in the banking sector as an innovative solution provider.
Enumerating ways for the rapid permeation of this technology, Lohar added that CEOs, Managers and board members et al should be taught about the impact of blockchain in the modern era.
“Life without blockchain would be difficult by 2025 and machines will be performing half of your tasks by 2025. Besides, more than half of the global workforce will need new skills by 2022. Banking sector has to train people and collaborate with other banks as part of innovation. The sector can also look into new ways of businesses, Internet of Things and social media opportunities. Sharing economy or collaborative economy will be a completely paradigm shift,” he added.
The summit, organized by KBA, offered a rare opportunity for the global businesses in blockchain to look into expansion of their operations in Kerala in particular and India in general. Bob Tapscott of Blockchain Research Institute, Canada, who is visiting the country for the first time, were among those who spoke at the event.
An initiative of the Government of Kerala, KBA comes under the diverse portfolio of the Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management –Kerala (IIITM-K).
