MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION INCORPORATED

Morgan State University (MSU) has received funding from Ripple, a leading Silicon Valley financial technology ("FinTech") company. The funds will underwrite a five-year academic partnership bringing advanced education and research programs to the University. Morgan joins a select number of institutions now participating in Ripple's University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI), a global effort designed to further accelerate academic research, technical development, and innovation in blockchain technology, cryptocurrency, and FinTech security. The UBRI program fosters increased engagement and participation in FinTech among faculty and postdoctoral and graduate students. Through the efforts of the Center for the Study of Blockchain and Financial Technology (the FinTech Center) at Morgan's Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management, the University's UBRI program will encompass the development of specialized curricula, expansion of academic courses, hosting of conferences and awarding of scholarships to faculty and students pursuing work in blockchain, cryptocurrency, digital payments and related topics. The Center will also serve as a resource hub that will support the faculty at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) seeking to engage in FinTech course development and research initiatives.