The Department of Economics & ORIC, Virtual University of Pakistan, teamed up with Universitas Terbuka, Indonesia for a Joint International Webinar on "Understanding Blockchain, Web Evolution & Decentralized Digital Money" — with 500+ participants tuning in from both countries. The webinar was moderated by Ms. Anam Alamdar, who warmly welcomed the participants and introduced the topic and keynote speakers.
Dr. Muhammad Shakeel (VUP) broke down blockchain through an economic lens — real-world applications beyond crypto, the evolution of money from barter to cryptocurrency, and key adoption stats for Pakistan and the world.
Hasta Dwi Pradana, S.Hum., M.E. (Universitas Terbuka) took a deep dive into Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) — its foundations, design, and how it's taking shape in Indonesia.
An engaging Q&A followed, with both speakers fielding participant questions.
Big takeaway: blockchain is reshaping the digital economy — cutting out intermediaries, speeding up transfers, and driving more inclusive financial access.
Both institutions are committed to more sessions like this to boost digital literacy among students and faculty.